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Blue Jasmine arrives as a comedy directed by Woody Allen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin give Blue Jasmine a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Blue Jasmine comes into focus without a long explanation: A New York socialite, deeply troubled and in denial, arrives in San Francisco to impose upon her sister. Across its 1h 38m running time, Woody Allen keeps Blue Jasmine co

R.I.P.D. arrives as a comedy directed by Robert Schwentke, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges give R.I.P.D. a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in R.I.P.D. comes into focus without a long explanation: In the afterlife, Nick Walker, a detective who used to work for the Boston Police Department, is hired by a director of a group of deceased police officers to fight against the r

Texas Chainsaw arrives as a horror film directed by John Luessenhop, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Alexandra Daddario and Tania Raymonde give Texas Chainsaw a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Texas Chainsaw comes into focus without a long explanation: A young woman travels to Texas to collect an inheritance. Across its 1h 32m running time, John Luessenhop keeps Texas Chainsaw uncertain about tone a

Carrie arrives as a horror film directed by Kimberly Peirce, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore give Carrie a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Carrie comes into focus without a long explanation: A shy girl, outcast by her peers and sheltered by her religious mother, unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom. Across

Walking with Dinosaurs 3D arrives as an animated adventure directed by Barry Cook, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Charlie Rowe and Karl Urban give Walking with Dinosaurs 3D a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Walking with Dinosaurs 3D comes into focus without a long explanation: See and feel what it was like when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, in a story where an underdog dino triumphs to become a hero f

The Family arrives as a comedy directed by Luc Besson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer give The Family a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Family comes into focus without a long explanation: The Manzoni family, a notorious Mafia clan, is relocated to Normandy, France, under the Witness Protection Program, where fitting in soon becomes challenging as their old h

Philomena arrives as a comedy directed by Stephen Frears, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Judi Dench and Steve Coogan give Philomena a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Philomena comes into focus without a long explanation: A world weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a

August: Osage County arrives as a comedy directed by John Wells, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Meryl Streep and Dermot Mulroney give August: Osage County a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in August: Osage County comes into focus without a long explanation: A look at the lives of the strong willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklah

47 Ronin arrives as an action film directed by Carl Rinsch, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Keanu Reeves and Hiroyuki Sanada give 47 Ronin a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 47 Ronin comes into focus without a long explanation: A band of samurai sets out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun. Across its 2h 8m running time, Carl Rinsch keeps 47 Ronin uncert

A Haunted House arrives as a horror film directed by Michael Tiddes, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins give A Haunted House a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in A Haunted House comes into focus without a long explanation: Malcolm and Kisha move into their dream home, then learn that a demon also resides there. Across its 1h 26m running time, Michael Tiddes keeps A Haunted

Riddick arrives as an action film directed by David Twohy, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vin Diesel and Karl Urban give Riddick a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Riddick comes into focus without a long explanation: Left for dead on a sun scorched planet, Riddick finds himself up against an alien race of predators. Across its 1h 59m running time, David Twohy keeps Riddick engaging in bursts but una

Snitch arrives as an action film directed by Ric Roman Waugh, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dwayne Johnson and Susan Sarandon give Snitch a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Snitch comes into focus without a long explanation: A father goes undercover for the DEA in order to free his son, who was imprisoned after being set up in a drug deal. Across its 1h 52m running time, Ric Roman Waugh keeps Snitc