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The Perfect Guy
The Perfect Guy arrives as a thriller directed by David M. Rosenthal, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sanaa Lathan and Michael Ealy give The Perfect Guy a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Perfect Guy comes into focus without a long explanation: After breaking up with her boyfriend, a professional woman gets involved with a man who seems almost too good to be true. Across its 1h 40m running time,
Aug 103 min read
Vacation
Vacation arrives as a comedy directed by John Francis Daley, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ed Helms and Christina Applegate give Vacation a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Vacation comes into focus without a long explanation: Rusty Griswold takes his own family on a road trip to "Walley World" in order to spice things up with his wife and reconnect with his sons. Across its 1h 39m running time, Jo
Aug 103 min read
Black Mass
Black Mass arrives as a crime drama directed by Scott Cooper, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Johnny Depp and Benedict Cumberbatch give Black Mass a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Black Mass comes into focus without a long explanation: The true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to
Aug 103 min read
The Wedding Ringer
The Wedding Ringer arrives as a comedy directed by Jeremy Garelick, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kevin Hart and Josh Gad give The Wedding Ringer a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Wedding Ringer comes into focus without a long explanation: Two weeks shy of his wedding, a socially awkward guy enters into a charade by hiring the owner of a company that provides best men for grooms in need. Acros
Aug 103 min read
The Visit
The Visit arrives as a horror film directed by M. Night Shyamalan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Olivia DeJonge and Ed Oxenbould give The Visit a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Visit comes into focus without a long explanation: Two siblings become increasingly frightened by their grandparents' disturbing behavior while visiting them on vacation. Across its 1h 34m running time, M. Night Shyama
Aug 103 min read
Magic Mike XXL
Magic Mike XXL arrives as a comedy directed by Gregory Jacobs, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello give Magic Mike XXL a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Magic Mike XXL comes into focus without a long explanation: Three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, he and the remaining Kings of Tampa hit the road to Myrtle Beach to put on one l
Aug 103 min read
War Room
War Room arrives as a drama directed by Alex Kendrick, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Priscilla C. Shirer and T.C. Stallings give War Room a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in War Room comes into focus without a long explanation: A seemingly perfect family looks to fix their problems with the help of Miss Clara, an older, wiser woman. Across its 2h running time, Alex Kendrick keeps War Room unable to
Aug 103 min read
The Big Short
The Big Short arrives as a comedy directed by Adam McKay, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Christian Bale and Steve Carell give The Big Short a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Big Short comes into focus without a long explanation: In 2006 2007 a group of investors bet against the United States mortgage market. Across its 2h 10m running time, Adam McKay keeps The Big Short assured without becoming
Aug 103 min read
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 arrives as a comedy directed by Andy Fickman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kevin James and Raini Rodriguez give Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: After six years of keeping our malls safe, Paul Blart has earned a well deserved vacation. Across its 1h 34m running time, Andy Fickman kee
Aug 103 min read
Bridge of Spies
Bridge of Spies arrives as a thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance give Bridge of Spies a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Bridge of Spies comes into focus without a long explanation: During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the
Aug 103 min read
The Intern
The Intern arrives as a comedy directed by Nancy Meyers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway give The Intern a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Intern comes into focus without a long explanation: Seventy year old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Across its 2h 1m running time, Nancy Meyers keeps The Intern engaging i
Aug 103 min read
Pixels
Pixels arrives as a comedy directed by Chris Columbus, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Adam Sandler and Kevin James give Pixels a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Pixels comes into focus without a long explanation: When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games. Across its 1h 45m running time, Chris Columbus k
Aug 103 min read
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