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Jackass 3D arrives as a documentary directed by Jeff Tremaine, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Johnny Knoxville and Steve O give Jackass 3D a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Jackass 3D comes into focus without a long explanation: Johnny Knoxville and company return for the third installment of their TV show spin off, where dangerous stunts and explicit public displays rule. Across its 1h 34m running

Salt arrives as an action film directed by Phillip Noyce, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber give Salt a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Salt comes into focus without a long explanation: A CIA agent goes on the run after a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Across its 1h 40m running time, Phillip Noyce keeps Salt careful about tone and generally effective. ⁠

The Other Guys arrives as a comedy directed by Adam McKay, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg give The Other Guys a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Other Guys comes into focus without a long explanation: Two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up like the city's top cops, whom they idolize, only things don't quite go as planned. Across its

Shutter Island arrives as a thriller directed by Martin Scorsese, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Mortimer give Shutter Island a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Shutter Island comes into focus without a long explanation: Two US marshals are sent to a mental institution on an inhospitable island in order to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Across its 2h 18m runn

The Last Airbender arrives as an action film directed by M. Night Shyamalan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Noah Ringer and Nicola Peltz Beckham give The Last Airbender a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Last Airbender comes into focus without a long explanation: Aang, a young successor to a long line of Avatars, must master all four elements and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water Tri

The King's Speech arrives as a biographical drama directed by Tom Hooper, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush give The King's Speech a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The King's Speech comes into focus without a long explanation: The story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure

Megamind arrives as an animated adventure directed by Tom McGrath, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Ferrell and Jonah Hill give Megamind a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Megamind comes into focus without a long explanation: Evil genius Megamind finally defeats his do gooder nemesis, Metro Man, but is left without a purpose in a superhero free world. Across its 1h 35m running time, Tom McGrath k

Little Fockers arrives as a comedy directed by Paul Weitz, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ben Stiller and Teri Polo give Little Fockers a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Little Fockers comes into focus without a long explanation: Family patriarch Jack Byrnes wants to appoint a successor. Across its 1h 38m running time, Paul Weitz keeps Little Fockers uncertain about tone and dramatic emphasis. ⁠ Th

Grown Ups arrives as a comedy directed by Dennis Dugan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Adam Sandler and Salma Hayek give Grown Ups a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Grown Ups comes into focus without a long explanation: After their high school basketball coach passes away, five good friends and former teammates reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend. Across its 1h 42m running time, Dennis Dug

Clash of the Titans arrives as an action film directed by Louis Leterrier, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sam Worthington and Liam Neeson give Clash of the Titans a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Clash of the Titans comes into focus without a long explanation: Perseus, a demigod and the son of Zeus, battles the minions of Hades and the Underworld in order to stop them from conquering Olympus and E

True Grit arrives as a western directed by Ethan Coen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon give True Grit a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in True Grit comes into focus without a long explanation: A stubborn teenager enlists the help of a tough U.S. Marshal to track down her father's murderer. Across its 1h 50m running time, Ethan Coen keeps True Grit controlled while retaining

Tron: Legacy arrives as an action film directed by Joseph Kosinski, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jeff Bridges and Garrett Hedlund give Tron: Legacy a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Tron: Legacy comes into focus without a long explanation: The son of a virtual world designer goes looking for his father and ends up inside the digital world that his father designed. Across its 2h 5m running time, J