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Superhero Movie
Superhero Movie arrives as a comedy directed by Craig Mazin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Drake Bell and Leslie Nielsen give Superhero Movie a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Superhero Movie comes into focus without a long explanation: Orphaned high school student Rick Riker is bitten by a radioactive dragonfly, develops super powers (except for the ability to fly), and becomes a hero. Across its
Aug 153 min read
Shutter
Shutter arrives as a horror film directed by Masayuki Ochiai, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Joshua Jackson and Rachael Taylor give Shutter a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Shutter comes into focus without a long explanation: A newly married couple discovers disturbing, ghostly images in photographs they develop after a tragic accident. Across its 1h 25m running time, Masayuki Ochiai keeps Shutter
Aug 152 min read
The Wrestler
The Wrestler arrives as a sports drama directed by Darren Aronofsky, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei give The Wrestler a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Wrestler comes into focus without a long explanation: A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle. Across its 1h 49m running time, Darren Ar
Aug 153 min read
Street Kings
Street Kings arrives as an action film directed by David Ayer, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker give Street Kings a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Street Kings comes into focus without a long explanation: An undercover cop, disillusioned by the death of his wife, is implicated in the murder of an officer and must struggle to clear himself. Across its 1h 49m running t
Aug 153 min read
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Other Boleyn Girl arrives as a romance directed by Justin Chadwick, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson give The Other Boleyn Girl a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Other Boleyn Girl comes into focus without a long explanation: Two sisters contend for the affection of King Henry VIII. Across its 1h 55m running time, Justin Chadwick keeps The Other Boleyn Gi
Aug 153 min read
One Missed Call
One Missed Call arrives as a horror film directed by Eric Valette, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Edward Burns and Shannyn Sossamon give One Missed Call a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in One Missed Call comes into focus without a long explanation: Several people start receiving voice mails from their future selves messages which include the date, time, and some of the details of their deaths. Acros
Aug 153 min read
The Women
The Women arrives as a comedy directed by Diane English, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Meg Ryan and Eva Mendes give The Women a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Women comes into focus without a long explanation: A wealthy New Yorker wrestles with the decision to leave her cheating husband, as she and her friends discover that women really can have it all. Across its 1h 54m running time, Diane E
Aug 153 min read
Defiance
Defiance arrives as an action film directed by Edward Zwick, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber give Defiance a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Defiance comes into focus without a long explanation: Jewish brothers in German occupied Eastern Europe escape into a Belorussian forest, where they join Russian resistance fighters, and endeavor to build a village, in order to p
Aug 152 min read
Untraceable
Untraceable arrives as a thriller directed by Gregory Hoblit, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Diane Lane and Colin Hanks give Untraceable a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Untraceable comes into focus without a long explanation: FBI agent Jennifer Marsh is tasked with hunting down a seemingly untraceable serial killer who posts live videos of his victims on the Internet. Across its 1h 41m running ti
Aug 152 min read
The Bank Job
The Bank Job arrives as a thriller directed by Roger Donaldson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jason Statham and Saffron Burrows give The Bank Job a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Bank Job comes into focus without a long explanation: Martine offers Terry a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street. Across its 1h 51m running time, Roger Donaldson keeps The Bank Job clear enough to k
Aug 153 min read
Space Chimps
Space Chimps arrives as an animated adventure directed by Kirk DeMicco, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Andy Samberg and Stanley Tucci give Space Chimps a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Space Chimps comes into focus without a long explanation: Three chimps are sent into space to explore the possibility of alien life when an unmanned space shuttle crash lands on an uncharted planet. Across its 1h 21
Aug 153 min read
Mirrors
Mirrors arrives as a horror film directed by Alexandre Aja, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kiefer Sutherland and Paula Patton give Mirrors a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Mirrors comes into focus without a long explanation: Ben guards a partly destroyed property by night but begins to see strange images in its impeccable mirrors. Across its 1h 50m running time, Alexandre Aja keeps Mirrors uncerta
Aug 152 min read
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