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What stands out first about Rendition is the confidence with which Gavin Hood establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Rendition asks Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Rendition is established with useful clarity: When a terrorist bombing in North Africa kills 19 incl. That direct approach lets Rendition use its 2h 2m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. ⁠ In

What stands out first about Bratz is the confidence with which Sean McNamara establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Bratz asks Skyler Shaye and Janel Parrish to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Bratz is established with useful clarity: During their first year of high school, four best girlfriends face off against the domineering student body President, who wants to split them up into different social cliques. That dir

What stands out first about Pathfinder is the confidence with which Marcus Nispel establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Pathfinder asks Karl Urban and Clancy Brown to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Pathfinder is established with useful clarity: A Viking boy is left behind after his clan battles a Native American tribe. That direct approach lets Pathfinder use its 1h 39m running time for character, atmosphere a

What stands out first about La Vie En Rose is the confidence with which Olivier Dahan establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, La Vie En Rose asks Marion Cotillard and Sylvie Testud to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of La Vie En Rose is established with useful clarity: Biopic of the iconic French singer Édith Piaf. That direct approach lets La Vie En Rose use its 2h 20m running time for character, atmosphere and consequ

What stands out first about U2 3D is the confidence with which Catherine Owens establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, U2 3D asks Bono and Adam Clayton to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of U2 3D is established with useful clarity: A 3 D presentation of U2's global "Vertigo" tour. That direct approach lets U2 3D use its 1h 25m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. ⁠ U2 3D gains much of its identity

What stands out first about Primeval is the confidence with which Michael Katleman establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Primeval asks Dominic Purcell and Orlando Jones to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Primeval is established with useful clarity: A news team is sent to Burundi to capture and bring home a legendary 25 foot crocodile. That direct approach lets Primeval use its 1h 33m running time for character,

What stands out first about Dragon Wars: D War is the confidence with which Hyung rae Shim establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Dragon Wars: D War asks Jason Behr and Amanda Brooks to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Dragon Wars: D War is established with useful clarity: Once in 500 years, ancient mythical creatures come to Earth, wreaking havoc and destruction. That direct approach lets Dragon Wars: D War use

What stands out first about In the Land of Women is the confidence with which Jonathan Kasdan establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, In the Land of Women asks Adam Brody and Kristen Stewart to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of In the Land of Women is established with useful clarity: A sleazy writer has a chance to redeem himself when he goes to stay with his grandmother and befriends the neighbors. That direct approach

What stands out first about Sydney White is the confidence with which Joe Nussbaum establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Sydney White asks Amanda Bynes and Sara Paxton to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Sydney White is established with useful clarity: After being banished from the most popular sorority on campus, Sydney White teams up with a group of socially awkward outcasts to outdo the queen at her own game. That

What stands out first about The Darjeeling Limited is the confidence with which Wes Anderson establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Darjeeling Limited asks Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Darjeeling Limited is established with useful clarity: A year after their father's funeral, three brothers travel across India by train in an attempt to bond with each other. That direct appro

What stands out first about Evening is the confidence with which Lajos Koltai establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Evening asks Vanessa Redgrave and Toni Collette to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Evening is established with useful clarity: Suffering from a terminal illness, an elderly woman recalls in delirium a tragedy from her youth, when her brief romance with a young doctor has unforeseeable consequences for

What stands out first about I Think I Love My Wife is the confidence with which Chris Rock establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, I Think I Love My Wife asks Chris Rock and Kerry Washington to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of I Think I Love My Wife is established with useful clarity: A married man who daydreams about being with other women finds his will and morals tested after he's visited by the ex mistress of his o