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American Ultra arrives as a comedy directed by Nima Nourizadeh, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart give American Ultra a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in American Ultra comes into focus without a long explanation: A stoner who is in fact a government agent is marked as a liability and targeted for extermination. Across its 1h 36m running time, Nima Nourizadeh keeps Am

Hello, My Name Is Doris arrives as a comedy directed by Michael Showalter, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sally Field and Max Greenfield give Hello, My Name Is Doris a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hello, My Name Is Doris comes into focus without a long explanation: A self help seminar inspires a sixty something woman to romantically pursue her younger co worker. Across its 1h 30m running time, M

Room arrives as a thriller directed by Lenny Abrahamson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay give Room a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Room comes into focus without a long explanation: A little boy is held captive in a room with his mother since his birth, so he has never known the world outside. Across its 1h 58m running time, Lenny Abrahamson keeps Room controlled whil

Eddie the Eagle arrives as a comedy directed by Dexter Fletcher, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman give Eddie the Eagle a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Eddie the Eagle comes into focus without a long explanation: The story of Eddie Edwards, the notoriously tenacious British underdog ski jumper who charmed the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Across its 1h 46m running

The Transporter Refueled arrives as an action film directed by Camille Delamarre, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ed Skrein and Loan Chabanol give The Transporter Refueled a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Transporter Refueled comes into focus without a long explanation: In the south of France, former special ops mercenary Frank Martin enters into a game of chess with a femme fatale and her thre

Monkey Kingdom arrives as a documentary directed by Mark Linfield, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tina Fey and the principal supporting performer give Monkey Kingdom a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Monkey Kingdom comes into focus without a long explanation: Life is an adventure for a young monkey and her son, living among ancient ruins in the jungle. Across its 1h 21m running time, Mark Linfield

Masterminds arrives as a comedy directed by Jared Hess, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Zach Galifianakis and Owen Wilson give Masterminds a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Masterminds comes into focus without a long explanation: A guard at an armored car company in the Southern U.S. Across its 1h 35m running time, Jared Hess keeps Masterminds unable to turn workable ingredients into a stable rhythm

Dope arrives as a comedy directed by Rick Famuyiwa, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Shameik Moore and Tony Revolori give Dope a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dope comes into focus without a long explanation: Life changes for Malcolm, a geek who's surviving life in a tough neighborhood, after a chance invitation to an underground party leads him and his friends into a Los Angeles adventure. Across

Mr. Holmes arrives as a thriller directed by Bill Condon, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ian McKellen and Laura Linney give Mr. Holmes a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Mr. Holmes comes into focus without a long explanation: An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes deals with dementia, as he tries to remember his final case, and a mysterious woman, whose memory haunts him. Across its 1h 44m running time, B

Steve Jobs arrives as a biographical drama directed by Danny Boyle, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Michael Fassbender and Kate Winslet give Steve Jobs a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Steve Jobs comes into focus without a long explanation: Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution, to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter. Across its 2h 2m running time, Danny Boyle kee

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension arrives as a horror film directed by Gregory Plotkin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chris J. Murray and Brit Shaw give Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension comes into focus without a long explanation: Using a special camera that can see spirits, a family must protect their daught

Eye in the Sky arrives as an action film directed by Gavin Hood, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Helen Mirren and Aaron Paul give Eye in the Sky a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Eye in the Sky comes into focus without a long explanation: Col. Across its 1h 42m running time, Gavin Hood keeps Eye in the Sky careful about tone and generally effective. ⁠ Helen Mirren gives Eye in the Sky its most depen