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Oceans arrives as a documentary directed by Jacques Perrin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Pierce Brosnan and Pedro Armendáriz Jr. give Oceans a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Oceans comes into focus without a long explanation: An ecological drama/documentary, filmed throughout the globe. Across its 1h 24m running time, Jacques Perrin keeps Oceans confident enough to trust quiet moments. ⁠ Beneath

Igor arrives as an animated adventure directed by Tony Leondis, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. John Cusack and Molly Shannon give Igor a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Igor comes into focus without a long explanation: An evil scientist's assistant aspires to become a scientist himself, much to the displeasure of the rest of the evil science community. Across its 1h 27m running time, Tony Leondis k

The Spirit arrives as an action film directed by Frank Miller, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Gabriel Macht and Samuel L. Jackson give The Spirit a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Spirit comes into focus without a long explanation: Rookie cop Denny Colt returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces in Central City. Across its 1h 43m running time,

Appaloosa arrives as a crime drama directed by Ed Harris, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen give Appaloosa a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Appaloosa comes into focus without a long explanation: Two friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow. Across its 1h 55m running time,

Mad Money arrives as a comedy directed by Callie Khouri, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Diane Keaton and Queen Latifah give Mad Money a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Mad Money comes into focus without a long explanation: Three female employees of the Federal Reserve plot to steal money that is about to be destroyed. Across its 1h 44m running time, Callie Khouri keeps Mad Money more promising in c

The X Files: I Want to Believe arrives as a horror film directed by Chris Carter, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson give The X Files: I Want to Believe a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The X Files: I Want to Believe comes into focus without a long explanation: Mulder and Scully are called back to duty by the FBI when a former priest claims to be receiving psychic v

Babylon A.D. arrives as an action film directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vin Diesel and Michelle Yeoh give Babylon A.D. a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Babylon A.D. comes into focus without a long explanation: Veteran turned mercenary Toorop takes the high risk job of escorting a woman from Russia to America. Across its 1h 30m running time, Mathieu Kassovitz keeps Baby

Revolutionary Road arrives as a romance directed by Sam Mendes, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet give Revolutionary Road a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Revolutionary Road comes into focus without a long explanation: A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid 1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their

Vicky Cristina Barcelona arrives as a comedy directed by Woody Allen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson give Vicky Cristina Barcelona a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Vicky Cristina Barcelona comes into focus without a long explanation: Two friends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex wife, with whom he has a tempe

Traitor arrives as an action film directed by Jeffrey Nachmanoff, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce give Traitor a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Traitor comes into focus without a long explanation: When straight arrow FBI agent Roy Clayton heads up the investigation into a dangerous international conspiracy, all clues seem to lead back to former U.S. Special Operations off

Never Back Down arrives as an action film directed by Jeff Wadlow, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sean Faris and Djimon Hounsou give Never Back Down a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Never Back Down comes into focus without a long explanation: A frustrated and conflicted teenager arrives at a new high school to discover an underground fight club, and meets a classmate who begins to coerce him into

W. arrives as a comedy directed by Oliver Stone, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks give W. a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in W. comes into focus without a long explanation: A chronicle of the life and Presidency of George W. Bush. Across its 2h 9m running time, Oliver Stone keeps W. capable of strong moments without finding a complete rhythm. ⁠ W. gains much of its iden