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The Hitcher arrives as a thriller directed by Dave Meyers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sean Bean and Sophia Bush give The Hitcher a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Hitcher comes into focus without a long explanation: A couple from college get caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a psychopathic hitchhiker and the police after witnessing a murder and being framed. Across its 1h 24m

Dead Silence arrives as a horror film directed by James Wan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ryan Kwanten and Amber Valletta give Dead Silence a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dead Silence comes into focus without a long explanation: After his wife meets a grisly end, Jamie Ashen returns to his haunted hometown of Ravens Fair to find answers. Across its 1h 29m running time, James Wan keeps Dead Sil

88 Minutes arrives as a thriller directed by Jon Avnet, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Al Pacino and Alicia Witt give 88 Minutes a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 88 Minutes comes into focus without a long explanation: On the day that a serial killer that he helped put away is supposed to be executed, a noted forensic psychologist and college professor receives a call informing him that he has 88 m

Eastern Promises arrives as a thriller directed by David Cronenberg, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Naomi Watts and Viggo Mortensen give Eastern Promises a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Eastern Promises comes into focus without a long explanation: A teenager who dies during childbirth leaves clues in her journal that could tie her child to a rape involving a violent Russian mob family. Across its

Hostel: Part II arrives as a horror film directed by Eli Roth, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Lauren German and Heather Matarazzo give Hostel: Part II a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hostel: Part II comes into focus without a long explanation: Three American college students studying abroad are lured to a Slovakian hostel and discover the grim reality behind it. Across its 1h 34m running time, El

Next arrives as an action film directed by Lee Tamahori, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Nicolas Cage and Julianne Moore give Next a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Next comes into focus without a long explanation: A Las Vegas magician who can see into the future is pursued by FBI agents seeking to use his abilities to prevent a nuclear terrorist attack. Across its 1h 36m running time, Lee Tamahori

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story arrives as a comedy directed by Jake Kasdan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. John C. Reilly and Jenna Fischer give Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story comes into focus without a long explanation: Singer Dewey Cox overcomes adversity to become a musical legend. Across its 1h 36m running time, Jake Kasdan keeps

Into the Wild arrives as a biographical drama directed by Sean Penn, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Emile Hirsch and Vince Vaughn give Into the Wild a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Into the Wild comes into focus without a long explanation: After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to ch

Becoming Jane arrives as a romance directed by Julian Jarrold, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy give Becoming Jane a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Becoming Jane comes into focus without a long explanation: A biographical portrait of a pre fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman. Across its 2h running time, Julian Jarrold keeps Becoming Jane clear enough

Waitress arrives as a comedy directed by Adrienne Shelly, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion give Waitress a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Waitress comes into focus without a long explanation: Jenna is a pregnant, unhappily married waitress in the deep south. Across its 1h 48m running time, Adrienne Shelly keeps Waitress dependable even when the material becomes famili

Georgia Rule arrives as a comedy directed by Garry Marshall, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jane Fonda and Lindsay Lohan give Georgia Rule a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Georgia Rule comes into focus without a long explanation: A troubled young woman is sent to live with her grandmother for the summer, while hiding a secret that could potentially tear her family apart. Across its 1h 53m running

Vacancy arrives as a horror film directed by Nimród Antal, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson give Vacancy a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Vacancy comes into focus without a long explanation: Stranded in an isolated motel, a couple become the unsuspecting subjects of a snuff film. Across its 1h 25m running time, Nimród Antal keeps Vacancy alive in individual scenes and