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Inglourious Basterds arrives as a comedy directed by Quentin Tarantino, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brad Pitt and Diane Kruger give Inglourious Basterds a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Inglourious Basterds comes into focus without a long explanation: In Nazi occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincides with a theatre owner

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs arrives as an animated adventure directed by Phil Lord, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anna Faris and Bill Hader give Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs comes into focus without a long explanation: A local scientist is often regarded as a failure until he invents a machine that can make food fall fr

Terminator Salvation arrives as an action film directed by McG, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Christian Bale and Sam Worthington give Terminator Salvation a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Terminator Salvation comes into focus without a long explanation: As the machines prepare for a final attack, John Connor and a mysterious stranger delve into the heart of Skynet and uncover a terrible secret in

Angels & Demons arrives as a thriller directed by Ron Howard, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor give Angels & Demons a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Angels & Demons comes into focus without a long explanation: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon works with a nuclear physicist to solve a murder and prevent a terrorist act against the Vatican during one of the significant ev

A Christmas Carol arrives as an animated adventure directed by Robert Zemeckis, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman give A Christmas Carol a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in A Christmas Carol comes into focus without a long explanation: Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old moneylender is visited by three Christmas spirits on Christmas Eve. Across its 1h 36m running time, Robert Zeme

Paul Blart: Mall Cop arrives as a comedy directed by Steve Carr, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kevin James and Keir O'Donnell give Paul Blart: Mall Cop a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Paul Blart: Mall Cop comes into focus without a long explanation: When a shopping mall is taken over by a gang of organized crooks, it's up to a mild mannered security guard to save the day. Across its 1h 31m runni

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra arrives as an action film directed by Stephen Sommers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dennis Quaid and Channing Tatum give G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra comes into focus without a long explanation: An elite military unit comprised of special operatives known as G.I. Joe, operating out of The Pit, takes on an evi

Fast & Furious arrives as an action film directed by Justin Lin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker give Fast & Furious a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fast & Furious comes into focus without a long explanation: Brian O'Conner, back working for the FBI in Los Angeles, teams up with Dominic Toretto to bring down a heroin importer by infiltrating his operation. Across its 1h

The Proposal arrives as a comedy directed by Anne Fletcher, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds give The Proposal a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Proposal comes into focus without a long explanation: When New York editor Margaret faces deportation, she convinces her assistant Andrew to marry her in return for a promotion. Across its 1h 48m running time, Anne Fletch

2012 arrives as an action film directed by Roland Emmerich, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. John Cusack and Thandiwe Newton give 2012 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 2012 comes into focus without a long explanation: A frustrated writer struggles to keep his family alive when a series of global catastrophes threatens to annihilate mankind. Across its 2h 38m running time, Roland Emmerich keeps 2012

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian arrives as a comedy directed by Shawn Levy, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson give Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian comes into focus without a long explanation: Security guard Larry Daley infiltrates the Smithsonian Institution in ord

X Men Origins: Wolverine arrives as an action film directed by Gavin Hood, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber give X Men Origins: Wolverine a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in X Men Origins: Wolverine comes into focus without a long explanation: The early years of James Logan, featuring his rivalry with his brother Victor Creed, his service in the special forces team Weapo