All Articles

What stands out first about Kabali is the confidence with which Pa. Ranjith establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Kabali asks Rajinikanth and Winston Chao to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Kabali is established with useful clarity: A reformed gangster is released from prison and attempts to protect his family from his enemies. That direct approach lets Kabali use its 2h 33m running time for character, atmosphe

What stands out first about Morgan is the confidence with which Luke Scott establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Morgan asks Kate Mara and Anya Taylor Joy to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Morgan is established with useful clarity: A corporate risk management consultant must decide whether or not to terminate an artificially created humanoid being. That direct approach lets Morgan use its 1h 32m running time f

What stands out first about Sleight is the confidence with which J.D. Dillard establishes its crime drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Sleight asks Jacob Latimore and Seychelle Gabriel to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Sleight is established with useful clarity: Struggling to raise his little sister on his own, a young street magician turns to drug dealing, unaware of how ruthless his supplier can be. That direct approach lets S

What stands out first about Denial is the confidence with which Mick Jackson establishes its biographical drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Denial asks Rachel Weisz and Tom Wilkinson to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Denial is established with useful clarity: Acclaimed writer and historian Deborah E. That direct approach lets Denial use its 1h 49m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. ⁠ The narrative of Denial

What stands out first about Swiss Army Man is the confidence with which Daniel Kwan establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Swiss Army Man asks Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Swiss Army Man is established with useful clarity: A hopeless man stranded on a deserted island befriends a dead body, and together they go on a surreal journey to get home. That direct approach lets Swiss Army

What stands out first about A Hologram for the King is the confidence with which Tom Tykwer establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, A Hologram for the King asks Tom Hanks and Omar Elba to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of A Hologram for the King is established with useful clarity: A failed American sales rep looks to recoup his losses by traveling to Saudi Arabia and selling his company's product to a wealthy monarch. T

What stands out first about Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is the confidence with which Karan Johar establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil asks Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is established with useful clarity: A passionate singer falls deeply in love with Alizeh, who only sees him as a friend. That direct approach lets Ae Dil Hai Mushkil use its

What stands out first about Don't Think Twice is the confidence with which Mike Birbiglia establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Don't Think Twice asks Keegan Michael Key and Gillian Jacobs to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Don't Think Twice is established with useful clarity: When a member of a popular New York City improv troupe gets a huge break, the rest of the group all best friends start to realize that not ev

What stands out first about Hands of Stone is the confidence with which Jonathan Jakubowicz establishes its biographical drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Hands of Stone asks Edgar Ramírez and Usher to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Hands of Stone is established with useful clarity: The legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives. That direct approach lets Hands of Stone use its

What stands out first about Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie is the confidence with which Mandie Fletcher establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie asks Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie is established with useful clarity: After attracting both media and police attention for accidentally knocking Kate Moss into the River Tha

What stands out first about Incarnate is the confidence with which Brad Peyton establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Incarnate asks Aaron Eckhart and Carice van Houten to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Incarnate is established with useful clarity: A scientist with the ability to enter the subconscious minds of the possessed must save a young boy from the grips of a demon with powers never seen before, while fa

What stands out first about Your Name. is the confidence with which Makoto Shinkai establishes its animated adventure identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Your Name. asks Ryûnosuke Kamiki and Mone Kamishiraishi to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Your Name. is established with useful clarity: Two teenagers share a profound, magical connection upon discovering they are swapping bodies. That direct approach lets Your Name. use its 1h 46m ru