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There is a useful directness to Shotgun Stories, a thriller shaped by Jeff Nichols with a firm understanding of its audience. In Shotgun Stories, Michael Shannon provides the anchor while Douglas Ligon introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Shotgun Stories opens from this situation: Set in Arkansas, this poetic and powerful film directed by Jeff Nichols (Mud, Take Shelter) tracks a blood feud that erupts when two sets of half brothers come to

There is a useful directness to Breakfast with Scot, a comedy shaped by Laurie Lynd with a firm understanding of its audience. In Breakfast with Scot, Tom Cavanagh provides the anchor while Ben Shenkman introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Breakfast with Scot opens from this situation: Eric, a sports announcer and former hockey player, doesn't know how to deal with the flamboyant young boy to whom he and his partner suddenly become guardians

There is a useful directness to Owl and the Sparrow, a drama shaped by Stephane Gauger with a firm understanding of its audience. In Owl and the Sparrow, Cat Ly provides the anchor while The Lu Le introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Owl and the Sparrow opens from this situation: In modern day Saigon, three lonely strangers form a unique family as a ten year old orphan plays matchmaker to a zookeeper and a beautiful flight attendant. The res

There is a useful directness to Terror's Advocate, a documentary shaped by Barbet Schroeder with a firm understanding of its audience. In Terror's Advocate, Jacques Vergès provides the anchor while Klaus Barbie introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Terror's Advocate opens from this situation: A documentary on Jacques Vergès, the controversial lawyer and former Free French Forces guerrilla who has defending unpopular figures such as Nazi war c

There is a useful directness to XXY, a romance shaped by Lucía Puenzo with a firm understanding of its audience. In XXY, Ricardo Darín provides the anchor while Valeria Bertuccelli introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, XXY opens from this situation: The story of an intersex fifteen year old. The resulting its 1h 26m running time feels most convincing whenever XXY trusts behaviour more than explanation. ⁠ XXY uses its romance framework to cons

There is a useful directness to Alice Neel, a documentary shaped by Andrew Neel with a firm understanding of its audience. In Alice Neel, Alice Neel provides the anchor while Michel Auder introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Alice Neel opens from this situation: The life and work of Alice Neel (1900 1984), American portrait painter. The resulting its 1h 21m running time feels most convincing whenever Alice Neel trusts behaviour more than exp

There is a useful directness to Boarding Gate, a thriller shaped by Olivier Assayas with a firm understanding of its audience. In Boarding Gate, Asia Argento provides the anchor while Michael Madsen introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Boarding Gate opens from this situation: A beautiful woman, Sandra, seduces a wealthy businessman, Miles Rennburg. The resulting its 1h 46m running time feels most convincing whenever Boarding Gate trusts beha

There is a useful directness to Sukiyaki Western Django, an action film shaped by Takashi Miike with a firm understanding of its audience. In Sukiyaki Western Django, Hideaki Itô provides the anchor while Kôichi Satô introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Sukiyaki Western Django opens from this situation: A nameless gunfighter arrives in a town ripped apart by rival gangs and, though courted by both to join, chooses his own path. The resulting

There is a useful directness to December Boys, a romance shaped by Rod Hardy with a firm understanding of its audience. In December Boys, Daniel Radcliffe provides the anchor while Teresa Palmer introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, December Boys opens from this situation: One summer, four orphans boys who have grown to be the closest of friends find themselves competing for the attention of the same family. The resulting its 1h 45m running t

There is a useful directness to Grace Is Gone, a war drama shaped by Jim Strouse with a firm understanding of its audience. In Grace Is Gone, John Cusack provides the anchor while Emily Churchill introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Grace Is Gone opens from this situation: Upon hearing his wife was killed in the Iraq war, a father takes his two daughters on a road trip. The resulting its 1h 25m running time feels most convincing whenever Gra

There is a useful directness to Strength and Honour, an action film shaped by Mark Mahon with a firm understanding of its audience. In Strength and Honour, Michael Madsen provides the anchor while Vinnie Jones introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Strength and Honour opens from this situation: A single father decides to break his dying wife's last wish to not box again in order to save his young son from certain death. The resulting its 1h 35

There is a useful directness to Billy the Kid, a documentary shaped by Jennifer Venditti with a firm understanding of its audience. In Billy the Kid, Penny Baker provides the anchor while Billy P. introduces a contrasting energy. Without revealing later complications, Billy the Kid opens from this situation: "I'm not black, I'm not white, not foreign, just different in the mind. The resulting its 1h 24m running time feels most convincing whenever Billy the Kid trusts behaviou