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Phantom Thread arrives as a romance directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vicky Krieps and Daniel Day Lewis give Phantom Thread a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Phantom Thread comes into focus without a long explanation: Set in 1950s London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong willed woman, Alma, who becomes hi

My Little Pony: The Movie arrives as an animated adventure directed by Jayson Thiessen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Emily Blunt and Kristin Chenoweth give My Little Pony: The Movie a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in My Little Pony: The Movie comes into focus without a long explanation: After a dark force conquers Canterlot, the Mane 6 embark on an unforgettable journey beyond Equestria where they

Rough Night arrives as a comedy directed by Lucia Aniello, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Scarlett Johansson and Kate McKinnon give Rough Night a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Rough Night comes into focus without a long explanation: Things go terribly wrong for a group of girlfriends who hire a male stripper for a bachelorette party in Miami. Across its 1h 41m running time, Lucia Aniello keeps Ro

Victoria & Abdul arrives as a comedy directed by Stephen Frears, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Judi Dench and Ali Fazal give Victoria & Abdul a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Victoria & Abdul comes into focus without a long explanation: Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim. Across its 1h 51m running time, Stephen Frears keeps Victoria & Abdu

The Bye Bye Man arrives as a horror film directed by Stacy Title, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Douglas Smith and Lucien Laviscount give The Bye Bye Man a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Bye Bye Man comes into focus without a long explanation: Three friends stumble upon the horrific origins of a mysterious figure they discover is the root cause of the evil behind unspeakable acts. Across its 1

Downsizing arrives as a science fiction film directed by Alexander Payne, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matt Damon and Christoph Waltz give Downsizing a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Downsizing comes into focus without a long explanation: A social satire in which a man realizes he would have a better life if he were to shrink himself to five inches tall, allowing him to live in wealth and splend

Gifted arrives as a drama directed by Marc Webb, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chris Evans and Mckenna Grace give Gifted a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Gifted comes into focus without a long explanation: Frank, a single man raising his child prodigy niece Mary, is drawn into a custody battle with his mother. Across its 1h 41m running time, Marc Webb keeps Gifted clear enough to keep the emotion

All the Money in the World arrives as a thriller directed by Ridley Scott, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Michelle Williams and Christopher Plummer give All the Money in the World a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in All the Money in the World comes into focus without a long explanation: The story of the kidnapping of 16 year old John Paul Getty III and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother to c

The House arrives as a comedy directed by Andrew Jay Cohen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler give The House a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The House comes into focus without a long explanation: After the town takes away their daughter's college scholarship, a couple start an illegal casino in their friend's house to make back the money. Across its 1h 28m running time,

Home Again arrives as a comedy directed by Hallie Meyers Shyer, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Reese Witherspoon and Michael Sheen give Home Again a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Home Again comes into focus without a long explanation: Life for a single mom in Los Angeles takes an unexpected turn when she allows three young men to move in with her. Across its 1h 37m running time, Hallie Meyers Shy

Logan Lucky arrives as a comedy directed by Steven Soderbergh, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Channing Tatum and Adam Driver give Logan Lucky a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Logan Lucky comes into focus without a long explanation: Two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina. Across its 1h 58m running time, Steven Soderbergh keeps Logan Lucky dependable even whe

Rings arrives as a horror film directed by F. Javier Gutiérrez, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matilda Lutz and Alex Roe give Rings a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Rings comes into focus without a long explanation: A young woman finds herself on the receiving end of a terrifying curse that threatens to take her life in 7 days. Across its 1h 42m running time, F. Javier Gutiérrez keeps Rings uncert