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Earth to Echo arrives as a science fiction film directed by Dave Green, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Teo Halm and Astro give Earth to Echo a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Earth to Echo comes into focus without a long explanation: After receiving a bizarre series of encrypted messages, a group of kids embark on an adventure with an alien who needs their help. Across its 1h 31m running time, Dave

The Expendables 3 arrives as a comedy directed by Patrick Hughes, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham give The Expendables 3 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Expendables 3 comes into focus without a long explanation: Barney augments his team with new blood for a personal battle: to take down Conrad Stonebanks, the Expendables co founder and notorious arms trader

Dolphin Tale 2 arrives as a family film directed by Charles Martin Smith, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd give Dolphin Tale 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dolphin Tale 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: The team of people who saved Winter's life reassemble in the wake of her surrogate mother's passing in order to find her a companion so she can remain

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) arrives as a comedy directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Michael Keaton and Zach Galifianakis give Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) comes into focus without a long explanation: A washed up superhero actor attempts to revive his

John Wick arrives as an action film directed by Chad Stahelski, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Keanu Reeves and Michael Nyqvist give John Wick a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in John Wick comes into focus without a long explanation: John Wick is a former hitman grieving the loss of his true love. Across its 1h 41m running time, Chad Stahelski keeps John Wick dependable even when the material becomes

A Million Ways to Die in the West arrives as a comedy directed by Seth MacFarlane, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron give A Million Ways to Die in the West a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in A Million Ways to Die in the West comes into focus without a long explanation: As a cowardly farmer begins to fall for the mysterious new woman in town, he must put his newly fou

Need for Speed arrives as an action film directed by Scott Waugh, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Aaron Paul and Dominic Cooper give Need for Speed a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Need for Speed comes into focus without a long explanation: Fresh from prison, a street racer who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross country race with revenge in mind. Across its 2h 12m running time

St. Vincent arrives as a comedy directed by Theodore Melfi, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy give St. Vincent a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in St. Vincent comes into focus without a long explanation: A young boy whose parents have just divorced finds an unlikely friend and mentor in the misanthropic, bawdy, hedonistic war veteran who lives next door. Across its 1h 42

The Giver arrives as a thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brenton Thwaites and Jeff Bridges give The Giver a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Giver comes into focus without a long explanation: In a seemingly perfect community without war, pain, suffering, differences or choices, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man, the true pain and pleasure of the

Blended arrives as a comedy directed by Frank Coraci, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore give Blended a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Blended comes into focus without a long explanation: After a bad blind date, a man and woman find themselves stuck together at a resort for families, where their attraction grows as their respective kids benefit from the burgeoning relat

Jersey Boys arrives as a biographical drama directed by Clint Eastwood, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. John Lloyd Young and Erich Bergen give Jersey Boys a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Jersey Boys comes into focus without a long explanation: The story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons. Across i

The Judge arrives as a thriller directed by David Dobkin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall give The Judge a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Judge comes into focus without a long explanation: Big city lawyer Hank Palmer returns to his childhood home where his father, the town's judge, is suspected of murder. Across its 2h 21m running time, David Dobkin keeps The