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Stardust arrives as a romance directed by Matthew Vaughn, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Charlie Cox and Claire Danes give Stardust a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Stardust comes into focus without a long explanation: In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. Across its 2h 7m

Fracture arrives as a thriller directed by Gregory Hoblit, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling give Fracture a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fracture comes into focus without a long explanation: After shooting his wife, Ted confesses his crime and asks the court to move his case to trial. Across its 1h 53m running time, Gregory Hoblit keeps Fracture careful about tone

30 Days of Night arrives as a horror film directed by David Slade, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Josh Hartnett and Melissa George give 30 Days of Night a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 30 Days of Night comes into focus without a long explanation: After an Alaskan town is plunged into darkness for a month, it is attacked by a bloodthirsty gang of vampires. Across its 1h 53m running time, David Sla

Hitman arrives as an action film directed by Xavier Gens, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Timothy Olyphant and Dougray Scott give Hitman a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hitman comes into focus without a long explanation: A gun for hire known only as Agent 47 hired by a group known only as 'The Organization' is ensnared in a political conspiracy, which finds him pursued by both Interpol and the Rus

Epic Movie arrives as a comedy directed by Jason Friedberg, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kal Penn and Jennifer Coolidge give Epic Movie a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Epic Movie comes into focus without a long explanation: A spoof on previous years' epic movies (The Da Vinci Code (2006), The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) + 20 more), TV series, music videos a

There Will Be Blood arrives as a drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano give There Will Be Blood a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in There Will Be Blood comes into focus without a long explanation: A story of family, religion, hatred, oil and madness, focusing on a turn of the century prospector in the early days of the business. Across i

The Water Horse arrives as a fantasy directed by Jay Russell, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Emily Watson and David Morrissey give The Water Horse a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Water Horse comes into focus without a long explanation: A lonely boy discovers a mysterious egg that hatches a sea creature of Scottish legend. Across its 1h 52m running time, Jay Russell keeps The Water Horse depen

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem arrives as a horror film directed by Colin Strause, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Reiko Aylesworth and Steven Pasquale give Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem comes into focus without a long explanation: Warring Alien and Predator races descend on a rural Colorado town, where unsuspecting residents must band toge

Because I Said So arrives as a comedy directed by Michael Lehmann, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore give Because I Said So a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Because I Said So comes into focus without a long explanation: A meddling mother tries to set her daughter up with the right man so her kid won't follow in her footsteps. Across its 1h 42m running time, Michael Lehman

No Reservations arrives as a comedy directed by Scott Hicks, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Catherine Zeta Jones and Aaron Eckhart give No Reservations a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in No Reservations comes into focus without a long explanation: The life of a top chef changes when she becomes the guardian of her young niece. Across its 1h 44m running time, Scott Hicks keeps No Reservations engagin

Underdog arrives as a comedy directed by Frederik Du Chau, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Peter Dinklage and Jason Lee give Underdog a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Underdog comes into focus without a long explanation: A Beagle must use his newly bestowed superpowers to defend Capitol City from mad scientist Simon Barsinister. Across its 1h 24m running time, Frederik Du Chau keeps Underdog uncert

License to Wed arrives as a comedy directed by Ken Kwapis, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Mandy Moore and John Krasinski give License to Wed a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in License to Wed comes into focus without a long explanation: A reverend puts an engaged couple through a grueling marriage preparation course to see if they are meant to be married in his church. Across its 1h 31m running time,