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Paddington arrives as a comedy directed by Paul King, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins give Paddington a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Paddington comes into focus without a long explanation: A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Across its 1h 35m running time, Paul King keeps Paddington clear enough to keep the emotional line visible. ⁠ In Pa

The Monuments Men arrives as a comedy directed by George Clooney, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. George Clooney and Matt Damon give The Monuments Men a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Monuments Men comes into focus without a long explanation: An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from German thieves and return them to their owners. Across its 1h 58m running time,

Let's Be Cops arrives as a comedy directed by Luke Greenfield, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. give Let's Be Cops a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Let's Be Cops comes into focus without a long explanation: Two struggling pals dress as police officers for a costume party and become neighborhood sensations. Across its 1h 44m running time, Luke Greenfield keeps Let's

Penguins of Madagascar arrives as an animated adventure directed by Eric Darnell, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom McGrath and Chris Miller give Penguins of Madagascar a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Penguins of Madagascar comes into focus without a long explanation: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private join forces with undercover organization The North Wind to stop the villainous Dr Octavius Br

The Other Woman arrives as a comedy directed by Nick Cassavetes, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann give The Other Woman a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Other Woman comes into focus without a long explanation: After discovering that her boyfriend is married, Carly meets the wife he's been betraying; when yet another affair is discovered, all three women team up to plo

Annabelle arrives as a horror film directed by John R. Leonetti, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ward Horton and Annabelle Wallis give Annabelle a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Annabelle comes into focus without a long explanation: A couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists. Across its 1h 39m ru

Tammy arrives as a comedy directed by Ben Falcone, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon give Tammy a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Tammy comes into focus without a long explanation: After getting fired and finding out that her husband is cheating, Tammy hits the road with her profane, alcoholic grandmother. Across its 1h 37m running time, Ben Falcone keeps Tammy unab

Fury arrives as an action film directed by David Ayer, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf give Fury a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fury comes into focus without a long explanation: A grizzled tank commander makes tough decisions as he and his crew fight their way across Germany in April, 1945. Across its 2h 14m running time, David Ayer keeps Fury dependable even when the m

Annie arrives as a comedy directed by Will Gluck, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Quvenzhané Wallis and Cameron Diaz give Annie a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Annie comes into focus without a long explanation: A foster kid who lives with her mean foster mom sees her life change when business tycoon and New York City mayoral candidate Will Stacks makes a thinly veiled campaign move and takes her i

Dumb and Dumber To arrives as a comedy directed by Bobby Farrelly, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels give Dumb and Dumber To a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dumb and Dumber To comes into focus without a long explanation: 20 years since their first adventure, Lloyd and Harry go on a road trip to find Harry's newly discovered daughter, who was given up for adoption. Across

Taken 3 arrives as an action film directed by Olivier Megaton, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Liam Neeson and Forest Whitaker give Taken 3 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Taken 3 comes into focus without a long explanation: Framed for his ex Wife's murder, Bryan Mills sets out to take revenge on the real killers. Across its 1h 48m running time, Olivier Megaton keeps Taken 3 more promising in conc

The Imitation Game arrives as a thriller directed by Morten Tyldum, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley give The Imitation Game a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Imitation Game comes into focus without a long explanation: During World War II, the English mathematical genius Alan Turing tries to crack the German Enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians