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What stands out first about Happy People: A Year in the Taiga is the confidence with which Werner Herzog establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Happy People: A Year in the Taiga asks Werner Herzog and Gennady Soloviev to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Happy People: A Year in the Taiga is established with useful clarity: A documentary depicting the life and work of the trappers of Bakhtia, a village in the heart

What stands out first about The Princess of Montpensier is the confidence with which Bertrand Tavernier establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Princess of Montpensier asks Mélanie Thierry and Lambert Wilson to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Princess of Montpensier is established with useful clarity: Based on the classic didactic novel, the action centers on the noble lady who soon becomes exposed to the

What stands out first about Poetry is the confidence with which Lee Chang dong establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Poetry asks Yun Jeong hie and Lee Da wit to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Poetry is established with useful clarity: A sixty something woman, faced with the discovery of a heinous family crime and in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, finds strength and purpose when she enrolls in a poetry clas

What stands out first about Mooz Lum is the confidence with which Qasim Basir establishes its family film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Mooz Lum asks Evan Ross and Nia Long to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Mooz Lum is established with useful clarity: Amid a strict Muslim rearing and a social life he's never had, Tariq enters college confused. That direct approach lets Mooz Lum use its 1h 39m running time for character, atmospher

What stands out first about Miral is the confidence with which Julian Schnabel establishes its historical drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Miral asks Freida Pinto and Hiam Abbass to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Miral is established with useful clarity: A drama centered on an orphaned Palestinian girl growing up in the wake of Arab Israeli war who finds herself drawn into the conflict. That direct approach lets Miral use its

What stands out first about Hesher is the confidence with which Spencer Susser establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Hesher asks Joseph Gordon Levitt and Devin Brochu to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Hesher is established with useful clarity: A young boy has lost his mother and is losing touch with his father and the world around him. That direct approach lets Hesher use its 1h 46m running time for character, atmo

What stands out first about Tiny Furniture is the confidence with which Lena Dunham establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Tiny Furniture asks Lena Dunham and Laurie Simmons to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Tiny Furniture is established with useful clarity: About a recent college grad who returns home while she tries to figure out what to do with her life. That direct approach lets Tiny Furniture use its 1h 38m run

What stands out first about The 5th Quarter is the confidence with which Rick Bieber establishes its biographical drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The 5th Quarter asks Ryan Merriman and Andie MacDowell to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The 5th Quarter is established with useful clarity: Driven by the tragic and fatal car crash that took the life of his fifteen year old brother Luke, and wearing Luke's number 5 jersey, Jon Abba

What stands out first about I'm Still Here is the confidence with which Casey Affleck establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, I'm Still Here asks Joaquin Phoenix and Antony Langdon to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of I'm Still Here is established with useful clarity: Documents Joaquin Phoenix's transition from the acting world to a career as an aspiring rapper. That direct approach lets I'm Still Here use its 1h 48m ru

What stands out first about If You Are the One 2 is the confidence with which Xiaogang Feng establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, If You Are the One 2 asks You Ge and Shu Qi to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of If You Are the One 2 is established with useful clarity: Wealthy middle aged entrepreneur Qin and beautiful flight attendant Xiaoxiao Liang question their relationship after presiding over good friends Mang Guo

What stands out first about Break Ke Baad is the confidence with which Danish Aslam establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Break Ke Baad asks Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Break Ke Baad is established with useful clarity: Aaliya is not ready for commitment even after a decade long friendship with Abhay. That direct approach lets Break Ke Baad use its 1h 58m running time for charac

What stands out first about I Want Your Money is the confidence with which Ray Griggs establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, I Want Your Money asks Gary Bauer and Joe Biden to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of I Want Your Money is established with useful clarity: The film contrasts two views of role that the federal government should play in our daily lives using the words and actions of Ronald Reagan and Barack O