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The Ugly Truth arrives as a comedy directed by Robert Luketic, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler give The Ugly Truth a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Ugly Truth comes into focus without a long explanation: An uptight television producer takes control of a morning show segment on modern relationships hosted by a misogynistic man. Across its 1h 36m running time, Ro

Madea Goes to Jail arrives as a comedy directed by Tyler Perry, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tyler Perry and Keshia Knight Pulliam give Madea Goes to Jail a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Madea Goes to Jail comes into focus without a long explanation: Mischievous grandma Madea lands in jail, where she meets a variety of mixed up characters. Across its 1h 43m running time, Tyler Perry keeps Madea

He's Just Not That Into You arrives as a comedy directed by Ken Kwapis, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Aniston give He's Just Not That Into You a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in He's Just Not That Into You comes into focus without a long explanation: This Baltimore set movie of interconnecting story arcs deals with the challenges of reading or misreading human behavior

Julie & Julia arrives as a romance directed by Nora Ephron, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Amy Adams and Meryl Streep give Julie & Julia a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Julie & Julia comes into focus without a long explanation: Julie Powell, a young blogger, is determined to emulate Julia Child's cooking techniques. Across its 2h 3m running time, Nora Ephron keeps Julie & Julia clear enough to ke

Public Enemies arrives as a crime drama directed by Michael Mann, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Christian Bale and Johnny Depp give Public Enemies a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Public Enemies comes into focus without a long explanation: The Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s. Across

The Princess and the Frog arrives as an animated adventure directed by Ron Clements, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anika Noni Rose and Keith David give The Princess and the Frog a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Princess and the Frog comes into focus without a long explanation: A waitress desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner is set on a journey to turn a frog prince back into

Watchmen arrives as an action film directed by Zack Snyder, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jackie Earle Haley and Patrick Wilson give Watchmen a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Watchmen comes into focus without a long explanation: In a version of 1985 where superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach on the trail of a conspiracy that will change the course of histo

Couples Retreat arrives as a comedy directed by Peter Billingsley, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vince Vaughn and Malin Akerman give Couples Retreat a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Couples Retreat comes into focus without a long explanation: A comedy centered around four couples who settle into a tropical island resort for a vacation. Across its 1h 53m running time, Peter Billingsley keeps Coupl

It's Complicated arrives as a comedy directed by Nancy Meyers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Meryl Streep and Steve Martin give It's Complicated a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in It's Complicated comes into focus without a long explanation: When attending their son's college graduation, a couple reignite the spark in their relationship. Across its 2h running time, Nancy Meyers keeps It's Complicat

District 9 arrives as an action film directed by Neill Blomkamp, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sharlto Copley and David James give District 9 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in District 9 comes into focus without a long explanation: In a future Earth in which aliens are isolated in a remote ghetto, a government agent finds himself banished there. Across its 1h 52m running time, Neill Blomkamp keeps

Coraline arrives as an animated adventure directed by Henry Selick, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher give Coraline a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Coraline comes into focus without a long explanation: Wandering her rambling old house in her boring new town, a young girl discovers a hidden door to a strangely idealized version of her life that seems too good to be tru

G Force arrives as an animated adventure directed by Hoyt Yeatman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Arnett and Penélope Cruz give G Force a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in G Force comes into focus without a long explanation: A specially trained squad of guinea pigs is dispatched to stop a diabolical billionaire from taking over the world. Across its 1h 28m running time, Hoyt Yeatman keeps G Forc