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Concussion arrives as a biographical drama directed by Peter Landesman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Smith and Alec Baldwin give Concussion a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Concussion comes into focus without a long explanation: In Pittsburgh, accomplished pathologist Dr Bennet Omalu uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of n

Hot Pursuit arrives as a comedy directed by Anne Fletcher, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Reese Witherspoon and Sofía Vergara give Hot Pursuit a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hot Pursuit comes into focus without a long explanation: An uptight and by the book cop (Reese Witherspoon) tries to protect the outgoing widow (Sofia Vergara) of a drug boss as they race through Texas pursued by crooked cop

Pan arrives as a comedy directed by Joe Wright, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Levi Miller and Hugh Jackman give Pan a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Pan comes into focus without a long explanation: Twelve year old orphan Peter is spirited away to the magical world of Neverland, where he finds both fun and danger, and ultimately discovers his destiny: to become the hero who will be forever known a

The Boy Next Door arrives as a thriller directed by Rob Cohen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Lopez and Ryan Guzman give The Boy Next Door a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Boy Next Door comes into focus without a long explanation: A woman, separated from her unfaithful husband, falls for a younger man who has moved in next door, but their torrid affair soon takes a dangerous turn. Acr

The Longest Ride arrives as a romance directed by George Tillman Jr., and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Scott Eastwood and Britt Robertson give The Longest Ride a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Longest Ride comes into focus without a long explanation: Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and fateful connection with Ira, a 90 year old man, when they save him from a car crash. Across its 2h 3m runnin

Brooklyn arrives as a romance directed by John Crowley, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Saoirse Ronan and Emory Cohen give Brooklyn a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Brooklyn comes into focus without a long explanation: An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. Across its 1h 57m running time, John Crowley keeps Brooklyn controlled while retainin

The Age of Adaline arrives as a romance directed by Lee Toland Krieger, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Blake Lively and Michiel Huisman give The Age of Adaline a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Age of Adaline comes into focus without a long explanation: A young woman, born at the turn of the 20th century, is rendered ageless after an accident. Across its 1h 52m running time, Lee Toland Krieger

Max arrives as a war drama directed by Boaz Yakin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Thomas Haden Church and Josh Wiggins give Max a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Max comes into focus without a long explanation: A military dog that helped American Marines in Afghanistan returns to the United States and is adopted by his handler's family after suffering a traumatic experience. Across its 1h 51m runni

Krampus arrives as a horror film directed by Michael Dougherty, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Adam Scott and Toni Collette give Krampus a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Krampus comes into focus without a long explanation: A boy who has a bad Christmas accidentally summons a festive demon to his family home. Across its 1h 38m running time, Michael Dougherty keeps Krampus capable of strong moments

The Night Before arrives as a comedy directed by Jonathan Levine, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Seth Rogen give The Night Before a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Night Before comes into focus without a long explanation: On Christmas Eve, three lifelong friends spend the night in New York City looking for the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. Across its 1h 41m running t

Everest arrives as a thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jason Clarke and Ang Phula Sherpa give Everest a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Everest comes into focus without a long explanation: On May 10, 1996, mountain guides Rob Hall and Scott Fischer combine their expedition teams for a final ascent to the summit of Mount Everest. Across its 2h 1m running time, Ba

The Gift arrives as a thriller directed by Joel Edgerton, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall give The Gift a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Gift comes into focus without a long explanation: A married couple, Simon and Robyn, run into Gordo, an old classmate. Across its 1h 48m running time, Joel Edgerton keeps The Gift careful about tone and generally effective. ⁠ At