All Articles

What stands out first about The Young Victoria is the confidence with which Jean Marc Vallée establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Young Victoria asks Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Young Victoria is established with useful clarity: A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert. That direct approach lets T

What stands out first about Sorority Row is the confidence with which Stewart Hendler establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Sorority Row asks Briana Evigan and Rumer Willis to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Sorority Row is established with useful clarity: A killer threatens to expose the fatal secret binding a group of sorority sisters. That direct approach lets Sorority Row use its 1h 41m running time for cha

What stands out first about 12 Rounds is the confidence with which Renny Harlin establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, 12 Rounds asks John Cena and Ashley Scott to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of 12 Rounds is established with useful clarity: Detective Danny Fisher discovers his girlfriend has been kidnapped by an ex con tied to Fisher's past, and he'll have to successfully complete 12 challenges in order to secu

What stands out first about An Education is the confidence with which Lone Scherfig establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, An Education asks Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of An Education is established with useful clarity: A coming of age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age. That direct app

What stands out first about Whip It is the confidence with which Drew Barrymore establishes its sports drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Whip It asks Elliot Page and Drew Barrymore to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Whip It is established with useful clarity: In Bodeen, Texas, an indie rock loving misfit finds a way of dealing with small town misery after discovering a roller derby league in nearby Austin. That direct approach l

What stands out first about Case 39 is the confidence with which Christian Alvart establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Case 39 asks Renée Zellweger and Ian McShane to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Case 39 is established with useful clarity: A social worker fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she expected. That direct approach lets Case 39

What stands out first about Crank: High Voltage is the confidence with which Mark Neveldine establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Crank: High Voltage asks Jason Statham and Amy Smart to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Crank: High Voltage is established with useful clarity: Chelios faces a Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart and replaced it with a battery powered ticker which requires regul

What stands out first about Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is the confidence with which Paul Weitz establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant asks Chris Massoglia and John C. Reilly to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is established with useful clarity: Teenager Darren Shan meets a mysterious man at a freak show who turns out

What stands out first about Amelia is the confidence with which Mira Nair establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Amelia asks Hilary Swank and Richard Gere to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Amelia is established with useful clarity: A look at the life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt to make a flight around the world. That direct ap

What stands out first about Capitalism: A Love Story is the confidence with which Michael Moore establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Capitalism: A Love Story asks Michael Moore and William Black to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Capitalism: A Love Story is established with useful clarity: An examination of the social costs of corporate interests pursuing profits at the expense of the public good. That direct

What stands out first about I Love You, Beth Cooper is the confidence with which Chris Columbus establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, I Love You, Beth Cooper asks Hayden Panettiere and Paul Rust to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of I Love You, Beth Cooper is established with useful clarity: A nerdy valedictorian proclaims his love for Beth Cooper the hottest, most popular girl in school during his graduation speech. T

What stands out first about The Box is the confidence with which Richard Kelly establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Box asks Cameron Diaz and James Marsden to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Box is established with useful clarity: With the press of a button, a wooden box bestows riches and death. That direct approach lets The Box use its 1h 55m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. ⁠ The