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Grace Unplugged
What stands out first about Grace Unplugged is the confidence with which Brad J. Silverman establishes its music drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Grace Unplugged asks AJ Michalka and Kelly Thiebaud to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Grace Unplugged is established with useful clarity: Grace Trey is a phenomenal singer. That direct approach lets Grace Unplugged use its 1h 42m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence
Aug 103 min read
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
What stands out first about Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods is the confidence with which Masahiro Hosoda establishes its animated adventure identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods asks Masako Nozawa and Hiromi Tsuru to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods is established with useful clarity: After sleeping for 39 years, the God of destruction Beerus is surprised to learn that Frieza was de
Aug 103 min read
Under the Skin
What stands out first about Under the Skin is the confidence with which Jonathan Glazer establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Under the Skin asks Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy McWilliams to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Under the Skin is established with useful clarity: A mysterious young woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. That direct approach lets Under the Skin use its 1h 48m running
Aug 103 min read
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela
What stands out first about Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela is the confidence with which Sanjay Leela Bhansali establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela asks Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela is established with useful clarity: Modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' with an Indian twist, the film focu
Aug 103 min read
The Great Beauty
What stands out first about The Great Beauty is the confidence with which Paolo Sorrentino establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Great Beauty asks Toni Servillo and Carlo Verdone to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Great Beauty is established with useful clarity: Jep Gambardella has seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades, but after his 65th birthday and a shock from the past, Jep look
Aug 103 min read
Home Run
What stands out first about Home Run is the confidence with which David Boyd establishes its sports drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Home Run asks Scott Elrod and Dorian Brown Pham to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Home Run is established with useful clarity: A pro ball player with a substance abuse problem is forced into rehab in his hometown, finding new hope when he gets honest about his checkered past, and takes on coachin
Aug 103 min read
In a World...
What stands out first about In a World... is the confidence with which Lake Bell establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, In a World... asks Lake Bell and Fred Melamed to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of In a World... is established with useful clarity: An underachieving voice coach finds herself competing in the movie trailer voice over profession against her arrogant father and his protégé. That direct approach lets I
Aug 103 min read
The Fifth Estate
What stands out first about The Fifth Estate is the confidence with which Bill Condon establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Fifth Estate asks Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Brühl to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Fifth Estate is established with useful clarity: A dramatic thriller based on real events that reveals the quest to expose the deceptions and corruptions of power that turned an Internet upstart
Aug 103 min read
Metallica Through the Never
What stands out first about Metallica Through the Never is the confidence with which Nimród Antal establishes its music drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Metallica Through the Never asks Dane DeHaan and James Hetfield to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Metallica Through the Never is established with useful clarity: Trip, a young roadie for Metallica, is sent on an urgent mission during the band's show. That direct approach lets
Aug 103 min read
The Grand Seduction
What stands out first about The Grand Seduction is the confidence with which Don McKellar establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Grand Seduction asks Taylor Kitsch and Brendan Gleeson to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Grand Seduction is established with useful clarity: To survive, a dying Newfoundland fishing village must convince a young doctor to take up residence by any means necessary. That direct approa
Aug 103 min read
The To Do List
What stands out first about The To Do List is the confidence with which Maggie Carey establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The To Do List asks Aubrey Plaza and Johnny Simmons to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The To Do List is established with useful clarity: Feeling pressured to become more sexually experienced before she goes to college, Brandy Klark makes a list of things to accomplish before hitting campus in t
Aug 103 min read
What If
What stands out first about What If is the confidence with which Michael Dowse establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, What If asks Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of What If is established with useful clarity: Wallace, who is burned out from a string of failed relationships, forms an instant bond with Chantry, who lives with her longtime boyfriend. That direct approach lets What If use
Aug 103 min read
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