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Old Dogs arrives as a comedy directed by Walt Becker, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Robin Williams and John Travolta give Old Dogs a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Old Dogs comes into focus without a long explanation: Two friends and business partners find their lives turned upside down when strange circumstances lead them to be the temporary guardians of 7 year old twins. Across its 1h 28m runni

My Bloody Valentine arrives as a horror film directed by Patrick Lussier, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jensen Ackles and Jaime King give My Bloody Valentine a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in My Bloody Valentine comes into focus without a long explanation: Tom returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine's night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Across its 1h 41m r

I Can Do Bad All by Myself arrives as a comedy directed by Tyler Perry, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tyler Perry and Taraji P. Henson give I Can Do Bad All by Myself a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in I Can Do Bad All by Myself comes into focus without a long explanation: When Madea catches sixteen year old Jennifer and her two younger brothers looting her home, she decides to take matters into he

Funny People arrives as a comedy directed by Judd Apatow, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen give Funny People a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Funny People comes into focus without a long explanation: When seasoned comedian George Simmons learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship causes him to take a relatively green perfo

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past arrives as a comedy directed by Mark Waters, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner give Ghosts of Girlfriends Past a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past comes into focus without a long explanation: While attending his brother's wedding, a serial womanizer is haunted by the ghosts of his past girlfriends. Across its 1

The Haunting in Connecticut arrives as a horror film directed by Peter Cornwell, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Virginia Madsen and Martin Donovan give The Haunting in Connecticut a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Haunting in Connecticut comes into focus without a long explanation: After a family is forced to relocate for their son's health, they begin experiencing supernatural behavior in thei

Bride Wars arrives as a comedy directed by Gary Winick, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway give Bride Wars a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Bride Wars comes into focus without a long explanation: Two best friends become rivals when they schedule their respective weddings on the same day. Across its 1h 29m running time, Gary Winick keeps Bride Wars unable to turn workable

Brüno arrives as a comedy directed by Larry Charles, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sacha Baron Cohen and Gustaf Hammarsten give Brüno a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Brüno comes into focus without a long explanation: Flamboyant, gay Austrian Brüno looks for new fame in America. Across its 1h 21m running time, Larry Charles keeps Brüno engaging in bursts but unable to maintain the same control. ⁠

The Time Traveler's Wife arrives as a romance directed by Robert Schwentke, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams give The Time Traveler's Wife a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Time Traveler's Wife comes into focus without a long explanation: Henry DeTamble, a librarian, possesses a unique gene that lets him involuntarily travel through time. Across its 1h 47m running tim

17 Again arrives as a comedy directed by Burr Steers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Zac Efron and Matthew Perry give 17 Again a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 17 Again comes into focus without a long explanation: Mike O'Donnell is ungrateful for how his life turned out. Across its 1h 42m running time, Burr Steers keeps 17 Again alive in individual scenes and uncertain between them. ⁠ Rather than

Friday the 13th arrives as a horror film directed by Marcus Nispel, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jared Padalecki and Amanda Righetti give Friday the 13th a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Friday the 13th comes into focus without a long explanation: A group of young adults visit a boarded up campsite named Crystal Lake where they soon encounter the mysterious Jason Voorhees and his deadly intentio

The Taking of Pelham 123 arrives as an action film directed by Tony Scott, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Denzel Washington and John Travolta give The Taking of Pelham 123 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Taking of Pelham 123 comes into focus without a long explanation: Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary