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Open Season arrives as an animated adventure directed by Roger Allers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ashton Kutcher and Martin Lawrence give Open Season a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Open Season comes into focus without a long explanation: Boog, a domesticated 900lb. Across its 1h 26m running time, Roger Allers keeps Open Season alive in individual scenes and uncertain between them. ⁠ Open Sea

Inside Man arrives as a thriller directed by Spike Lee, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Denzel Washington and Clive Owen give Inside Man a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Inside Man comes into focus without a long explanation: A police detective, a bank robber, and a high power broker enter high stakes negotiations after the criminal's brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation. Across its 2h

Failure to Launch arrives as a comedy directed by Tom Dey, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker give Failure to Launch a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Failure to Launch comes into focus without a long explanation: A thirty something is still living with his parents until they hire an interventionist to help him graduate out of the house. Across its 1h 37m ru

Scary Movie 4 arrives as a comedy directed by David Zucker, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anna Faris and Regina Hall give Scary Movie 4 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Scary Movie 4 comes into focus without a long explanation: Cindy finds out a little boy haunts the house she lives in and she goes on a quest to solve his murder. Across its 1h 23m running time, David Zucker keeps Scary Movie 4 un

Dreamgirls arrives as a music drama directed by Bill Condon, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Beyoncé and Jamie Foxx give Dreamgirls a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dreamgirls comes into focus without a long explanation: A trio of black female soul singers cross over to the pop charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way. Across its 2h 10m running time, Bill Condon

The Break Up arrives as a comedy directed by Peyton Reed, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn give The Break Up a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Break Up comes into focus without a long explanation: A couple's break up proceeds to get uglier and nastier by the moment as each tries to keep their luxurious condo from the other. Across its 1h 46m running time, Peyton

The Devil Wears Prada arrives as a comedy directed by David Frankel, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep give The Devil Wears Prada a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Devil Wears Prada comes into focus without a long explanation: With an aspiration to become a journalist, Andy, a smart but sensible young graduate, travels to New York. Across its 1h 49m running time, Dav

Borat arrives as a comedy directed by Larry Charles, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sacha Baron Cohen and Ken Davitian give Borat a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Borat comes into focus without a long explanation: Kazakh TV talking head Borat is dispatched to the United States to report on the greatest country in the world. Across its 1h 24m running time, Larry Charles keeps Borat assured without

The Departed arrives as a thriller directed by Martin Scorsese, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon give The Departed a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Departed comes into focus without a long explanation: An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston. Across its 2h 31m running time, Martin

Mission: Impossible III arrives as an action film directed by J.J. Abrams, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Cruise and Michelle Monaghan give Mission: Impossible III a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Mission: Impossible III comes into focus without a long explanation: IMF agent Ethan Hunt comes into conflict with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer who threatens his life and his fiancée in respo

Click arrives as a comedy directed by Frank Coraci, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Adam Sandler and Kate Beckinsale give Click a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Click comes into focus without a long explanation: A workaholic architect finds a universal remote that allows him to fast forward and rewind to different parts of his life. Across its 1h 47m running time, Frank Coraci keeps Click engaging

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby arrives as a comedy directed by Adam McKay, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly give Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby comes into focus without a long explanation: Number one NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby stays atop the heap thanks to a pact with