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Pitch Perfect 2
Pitch Perfect 2 arrives as a comedy directed by Elizabeth Banks, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson give Pitch Perfect 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Pitch Perfect 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: After a humiliating command performance at The Kennedy Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in ord
Aug 103 min read
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation arrives as an action film directed by Christopher McQuarrie, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson give Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation comes into focus without a long explanation: Ethan and his team take on their most impossible mission yet when they have to eradicate an in
Aug 103 min read
Spectre
Spectre arrives as an action film directed by Sam Mendes, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daniel Craig and Christoph Waltz give Spectre a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Spectre comes into focus without a long explanation: A cryptic message from James Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover the existence of a sinister organisation named SPECTRE. Across its 2h 28m running time, Sam Mendes keeps S
Aug 102 min read
Cinderella
Cinderella arrives as a romance directed by Kenneth Branagh, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Lily James and Cate Blanchett give Cinderella a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Cinderella comes into focus without a long explanation: When her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her scheming stepsisters. Across its 1h 45m running time, Kenneth Branag
Aug 102 min read
The Martian
The Martian arrives as a science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain give The Martian a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Martian comes into focus without a long explanation: An astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive and can
Aug 103 min read
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 arrives as an action film directed by Francis Lawrence, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson give The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: Katniss and a team of rebels from District 13 prepare for the final battle that will
Aug 103 min read
Minions
Minions arrives as an animated adventure directed by Kyle Balda, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm give Minions a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Minions comes into focus without a long explanation: Minions Stuart, Kevin, and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a supervillain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world. Across its 1h 3
Aug 103 min read
Furious 7
Furious 7 arrives as an action film directed by James Wan, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker give Furious 7 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Furious 7 comes into focus without a long explanation: Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother. Across its 2h 17m running time, James Wan keeps Furious 7 dependable even when the mater
Aug 103 min read
Inside Out
Inside Out arrives as an animated adventure directed by Pete Docter, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Amy Poehler and Bill Hader give Inside Out a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Inside Out comes into focus without a long explanation: After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness conflict on how best to navigate a ne
Aug 102 min read
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron arrives as an action film directed by Joss Whedon, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans give Avengers: Age of Ultron a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Avengers: Age of Ultron comes into focus without a long explanation: When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it'
Aug 103 min read
Jurassic World
Jurassic World arrives as an action film directed by Colin Trevorrow, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard give Jurassic World a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Jurassic World comes into focus without a long explanation: A new theme park, built on the original site of Jurassic Park, creates a genetically modified hybrid dinosaur, the Indominus Rex, which escapes contai
Aug 103 min read
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens arrives as an action film directed by J.J. Abrams, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega give Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens comes into focus without a long explanation: As a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex storm
Aug 103 min read
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