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Astro Boy arrives as an animated adventure directed by David Bowers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Freddie Highmore and Nicolas Cage give Astro Boy a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Astro Boy comes into focus without a long explanation: When an android replica of a boy is rejected by his aggrieved creator, he goes off to find his own identity in an adventure that would make him the greatest hero o

Nine arrives as a romance directed by Rob Marshall, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daniel Day Lewis and Marion Cotillard give Nine a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Nine comes into focus without a long explanation: Famous film director Guido Contini struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his ag

Gamer arrives as a comedy directed by Mark Neveldine, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Gerard Butler and Michael C. Hall give Gamer a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Gamer comes into focus without a long explanation: In a future mind controlling game, death row convicts are forced to battle in a 'Doom' type environment. Across its 1h 35m running time, Mark Neveldine keeps Gamer uncertain about tone a

Shorts arrives as a comedy directed by Robert Rodriguez, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jimmy Bennett and James Spader give Shorts a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Shorts comes into focus without a long explanation: A young boy's discovery of a colorful, wish granting rock causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls when jealous kids and scheming adults alike set out to get their hands on it.

Fantastic Mr. Fox arrives as an animated adventure directed by Wes Anderson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. George Clooney and Meryl Streep give Fantastic Mr. Fox a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fantastic Mr. Fox comes into focus without a long explanation: An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation. Across its

Fame arrives as a romance directed by Kevin Tancharoen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kelsey Grammer and Bebe Neuwirth give Fame a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fame comes into focus without a long explanation: An updated version of the musical Fame (1980), which centered on the students of the New York Academy of Performing Arts. Across its 1h 47m running time, Kevin Tancharoen keeps Fame uncer

Love Happens arrives as a romance directed by Brandon Camp, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart give Love Happens a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Love Happens comes into focus without a long explanation: A widower whose book about coping with loss turns him into a best selling self help guru, falls for the hotel florist where his seminar is given, only to learn that

Fighting arrives as an action film directed by Dito Montiel, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard give Fighting a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fighting comes into focus without a long explanation: In New York City, a young counterfeiter is introduced to the world of underground street fighting by a seasoned scam artist, who becomes his manager on the bare knuckling b

Observe and Report arrives as a comedy directed by Jody Hill, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Seth Rogen and Anna Faris give Observe and Report a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Observe and Report comes into focus without a long explanation: Bi polar mall security guard Ronnie Barnhardt is called into action to stop a flasher from turning shopper's paradise into his personal peep show. Across its 1h

Aliens in the Attic arrives as a comedy directed by John Schultz, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ashley Tisdale and Robert Hoffman give Aliens in the Attic a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Aliens in the Attic comes into focus without a long explanation: A group of kids must protect their vacation home from invading aliens. Across its 1h 26m running time, John Schultz keeps Aliens in the Attic unab

The International arrives as an action film directed by Tom Tykwer, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Clive Owen and Naomi Watts give The International a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The International comes into focus without a long explanation: An Interpol agent attempts to expose a high profile financial institution's role in an international arms dealing ring. Across its 1h 58m running time, Tom

The Fourth Kind arrives as a horror film directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Milla Jovovich and Elias Koteas give The Fourth Kind a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Fourth Kind comes into focus without a long explanation: A thriller involving an ongoing unsolved mystery in Alaska, where one town has seen an extraordinary number of unexplained disappearances during the