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Unfinished Business arrives as a comedy directed by Ken Scott, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vince Vaughn and Dave Franco give Unfinished Business a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Unfinished Business comes into focus without a long explanation: A hard working small business owner and his two associates travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. Across its 1h 31m running tim

The Gunman arrives as an action film directed by Pierre Morel, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sean Penn and Idris Elba give The Gunman a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Gunman comes into focus without a long explanation: A sniper on a mercenary assassination team kills the minister of mines of the Congo. Across its 1h 55m running time, Pierre Morel keeps The Gunman more promising in concept tha

The Danish Girl arrives as a biographical drama directed by Tom Hooper, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander give The Danish Girl a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Danish Girl comes into focus without a long explanation: A fictitious love story loosely inspired by the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Across its 1h 59m running time, Tom Hooper kee

The 33 arrives as a biographical drama directed by Patricia Riggen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Antonio Banderas and Rodrigo Santoro give The 33 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The 33 comes into focus without a long explanation: Based on the real life event, when a gold and copper mine collapses, it traps 33 miners underground for 69 days. Across its 2h 7m running time, Patricia Riggen keeps T

Far from the Madding Crowd arrives as a romance directed by Thomas Vinterberg, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts give Far from the Madding Crowd a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Far from the Madding Crowd comes into focus without a long explanation: In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: Ga

Self/less arrives as a comedy directed by Tarsem Singh, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ryan Reynolds and Natalie Martinez give Self/less a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Self/less comes into focus without a long explanation: A dying real estate mogul transfers his consciousness into a healthy young body, but soon finds that neither the procedure nor the company that performed it are quite what the

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 arrives as a comedy directed by Steve Pink, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson give Hot Tub Time Machine 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hot Tub Time Machine 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: When Lou's shot in the groin, Nick and Jacob drag him in the Hot Tub Time Machine to go back in time and save Lou. Across its 1h 33m running t

Strange Magic arrives as an animated adventure directed by Gary Rydstrom, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Evan Rachel Wood and Elijah Kelley give Strange Magic a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Strange Magic comes into focus without a long explanation: Goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Across its 1h 39m running time, Gary Rydstrom

Carol arrives as a romance directed by Todd Haynes, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara give Carol a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Carol comes into focus without a long explanation: An aspiring photographer develops an intimate relationship with an older woman in 1950s New York. Across its 1h 58m running time, Todd Haynes keeps Carol controlled while retaining warmth. ⁠

Do You Believe? arrives as a drama directed by Jon Gunn, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Mira Sorvino and Sean Astin give Do You Believe? a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Do You Believe? comes into focus without a long explanation: When a pastor is shaken by the visible faith of a street corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. Across its 2h running time, Jon Gunn ke

Burnt arrives as a comedy directed by John Wells, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller give Burnt a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Burnt comes into focus without a long explanation: The temperamental chef of a London restaurant demands perfection from his staff. Across its 1h 41m running time, John Wells keeps Burnt engaging in bursts but unable to maintain the same cont

Woodlawn arrives as a biographical drama directed by Andrew Erwin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Caleb Castille and Sean Astin give Woodlawn a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Woodlawn comes into focus without a long explanation: A gifted high school football player must learn to embrace his talent and his faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field. Across its 2h 3m running time, Andr