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Semi Pro arrives as a comedy directed by Kent Alterman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Ferrell and Woody Harrelson give Semi Pro a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Semi Pro comes into focus without a long explanation: Jackie Moon, the owner coach player of the American Basketball Association's Flint Michigan Tropics, rallies his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true. Across its 1h 31m ru

The Reader arrives as a mystery directed by Stephen Daldry, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes give The Reader a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Reader comes into focus without a long explanation: Post WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re encounters his former lover as she defends hers

Star Wars: The Clone Wars arrives as an animated adventure directed by Dave Filoni, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matt Lanter and Nika Futterman give Star Wars: The Clone Wars a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Star Wars: The Clone Wars comes into focus without a long explanation: As the Clone Wars sweep the galaxy, Anakin Skywalker and his new Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, embark on a mission to rescue th

Changeling arrives as a thriller directed by Clint Eastwood, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Angelina Jolie and Colm Feore give Changeling a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Changeling comes into focus without a long explanation: After Christine's son goes missing, she reaches out to the LAPD to find him, but when they try to pass off an impostor as her son to quiet public protests, she refuses to ac

Death Race arrives as an action film directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jason Statham and Joan Allen give Death Race a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Death Race comes into focus without a long explanation: Ex con Jensen Ames is forced by the warden of a notorious prison to compete in our post industrial world's most popular sport: a car race in which inmates must brutal

The Family That Preys arrives as a drama directed by Tyler Perry, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard give The Family That Preys a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Family That Preys comes into focus without a long explanation: Two families from different walks of life learn to work together. Across its 1h 51m running time, Tyler Perry keeps The Family That Preys capable

The Secret Life of Bees arrives as a drama directed by Gina Prince Bythewood, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Hudson give The Secret Life of Bees a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Secret Life of Bees comes into focus without a long explanation: 1964. Across its 1h 54m running time, Gina Prince Bythewood keeps The Secret Life of Bees clear enough to keep the emotional

First Sunday arrives as a comedy directed by David E. Talbert, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ice Cube and Katt Williams give First Sunday a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in First Sunday comes into focus without a long explanation: Two bungling, petty criminal BFFs try to rob a church, but someone from staff beat them to it. Across its 1h 36m running time, David E. Talbert keeps First Sunday more pr

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay arrives as a comedy directed by Jon Hurwitz, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. John Cho and Kal Penn give Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay comes into focus without a long explanation: After being mistaken for terrorists and thrown into Guantánamo Bay, stoners Harold and Kumar

Meet the Spartans arrives as a comedy directed by Jason Friedberg, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sean Maguire and Kevin Sorbo give Meet the Spartans a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Meet the Spartans comes into focus without a long explanation: A spoof of 300 (2006) and many other movies, TV series/shows/commercials, video games and celebrities. Across its 1h 27m running time, Jason Friedberg kee

Lakeview Terrace arrives as a thriller directed by Neil LaBute, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick Wilson give Lakeview Terrace a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Lakeview Terrace comes into focus without a long explanation: A troubled and racist African American L.A.P.D. Officer will stop at nothing to force out a friendly interracial couple who just moved in next door to

Body of Lies arrives as an action film directed by Ridley Scott, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe give Body of Lies a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Body of Lies comes into focus without a long explanation: A CIA agent on the ground in Jordan hunts down a powerful terrorist leader while being caught between the unclear intentions of his American supervisors and Jo