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The Birth of a Nation arrives as a biographical drama directed by Nate Parker, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Nate Parker and Armie Hammer give The Birth of a Nation a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Birth of a Nation comes into focus without a long explanation: Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher in the antebellum South, orchestrates an uprising. Across its 2h running time, Nate Parker k

Norm of the North arrives as an animated adventure directed by Trevor Wall, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Rob Schneider and Heather Graham give Norm of the North a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Norm of the North comes into focus without a long explanation: When a real estate development invades his Arctic home, Norm and his three lemming friends head to New York City, where Norm becomes the masc

Bad Santa 2 arrives as a comedy directed by Mark Waters, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates give Bad Santa 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Bad Santa 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus, to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Across its

The Choice arrives as a romance directed by Ross Katz, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Benjamin Walker and Teresa Palmer give The Choice a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Choice comes into focus without a long explanation: Travis and Gabby first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life's most defining events. Across its 1h 51m running time, R

Race arrives as a biographical drama directed by Stephen Hopkins, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Stephan James and Jason Sudeikis give Race a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Race comes into focus without a long explanation: Jesse Owens' quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler's vis

Nine Lives arrives as a comedy directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kevin Spacey and Jennifer Garner give Nine Lives a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Nine Lives comes into focus without a long explanation: A stuffy businessman finds himself trapped inside the body of his family's cat. Across its 1h 27m running time, Barry Sonnenfeld keeps Nine Lives unable to turn workable

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life arrives as a comedy directed by Steve Carr, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Griffin Gluck and Lauren Graham give Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life comes into focus without a long explanation: After his new principal Dwight destroys his sketchbook, Rafe Khatchadorian and his b

Keanu arrives as a comedy directed by Peter Atencio, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele give Keanu a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Keanu comes into focus without a long explanation: When the adorable kitten of an L.A. Across its 1h 40m running time, Peter Atencio keeps Keanu capable of strong moments without finding a complete rhythm. ⁠ Performance is the clearest

God's Not Dead 2 arrives as a drama directed by Harold Cronk, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Melissa Joan Hart and Jesse Metcalfe give God's Not Dead 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in God's Not Dead 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: When a high school teacher is asked a question in class about Jesus, her response lands her in deep trouble. Across its 2h running time, Harold Cronk kee

Blair Witch arrives as a horror film directed by Adam Wingard, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. James Allen McCune and Callie Hernandez give Blair Witch a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Blair Witch comes into focus without a long explanation: After discovering a video showing what he believes to be his vanished sister Heather, James and a group of friends head to the forest believed to be inhabited

Free State of Jones arrives as an action film directed by Gary Ross, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matthew McConaughey and Gugu Mbatha Raw give Free State of Jones a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Free State of Jones comes into focus without a long explanation: A disillusioned Confederate Army deserter returns to Mississippi and leads a militia of fellow deserters and women in an uprising against

Mechanic: Resurrection arrives as an action film directed by Dennis Gansel, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jason Statham and Jessica Alba give Mechanic: Resurrection a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Mechanic: Resurrection comes into focus without a long explanation: Bishop's most formidable foe kidnaps the love of his life in order to make him complete three impossible assassinations and make them