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The Paper Tigers
What stands out first about The Paper Tigers is the confidence with which Quoc Bao Tran establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Paper Tigers asks Yuji Okumoto and Ron Yuan to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Paper Tigers is established with useful clarity: Three Kung Fu prodigies have grown into washed up, middle aged men, now one kick away from pulling their hamstrings. That direct approach lets The Paper Tige
Aug 103 min read
The Man Standing Next
What stands out first about The Man Standing Next is the confidence with which Min ho Woo establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Man Standing Next asks Lee Byung hun and Lee Sung min to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Man Standing Next is established with useful clarity: In the 1970s, Korea is under the absolute control of President Park, who controls the KCIA, the organization with the edge over any branch
Aug 103 min read
Gunda
What stands out first about Gunda is the confidence with which Victor Kossakovsky establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Gunda asks Gunda and the principal supporting performer to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Gunda is established with useful clarity: Documentary looks at the daily life of a pig and its farm animal companions: two cows and a one legged chicken. That direct approach lets Gunda use its 1h 33m ru
Aug 102 min read
The World to Come
What stands out first about The World to Come is the confidence with which Mona Fastvold establishes its historical drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The World to Come asks Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The World to Come is established with useful clarity: Somewhere along the mid 19th century American East Coast frontier, two neighboring couples battle hardship and isolation, witnessed
Aug 103 min read
The Rose Maker
What stands out first about The Rose Maker is the confidence with which Pierre Pinaud establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Rose Maker asks Catherine Frot and Melan Omerta to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Rose Maker is established with useful clarity: Eve Vernet was the largest rose grower. That direct approach lets The Rose Maker use its 1h 35m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. The
Aug 103 min read
Archenemy
What stands out first about Archenemy is the confidence with which Adam Egypt Mortimer establishes its animated adventure identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Archenemy asks Jessica Allain and Mac Brandt to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Archenemy is established with useful clarity: Max Fist claims to be a hero from another dimension who fell through time and space to earth, where he has no powers. That direct approach lets Archenemy us
Aug 103 min read
Six Minutes to Midnight
What stands out first about Six Minutes to Midnight is the confidence with which Andy Goddard establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Six Minutes to Midnight asks Nigel Lindsay and Judi Dench to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Six Minutes to Midnight is established with useful clarity: UK, Aug. That direct approach lets Six Minutes to Midnight use its 1h 39m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence.
Aug 103 min read
The Nest
What stands out first about The Nest is the confidence with which Sean Durkin establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Nest asks Jude Law and Carrie Coon to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Nest is established with useful clarity: Life for an entrepreneur and his American family begins to take a twisted turn after moving into an English country manor. That direct approach lets The Nest use its 1h 47m running t
Aug 103 min read
Most Wanted
What stands out first about Most Wanted is the confidence with which Daniel Roby establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Most Wanted asks Antoine Olivier Pilon and Josh Hartnett to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Most Wanted is established with useful clarity: In 1989, a Canadian journalist investigates the circumstances surrounding the suspicious arrest of a heroin addict imprisoned in a Thai jail. That direct appr
Aug 102 min read
No Man's Land
What stands out first about No Man's Land is the confidence with which Conor Allyn establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, No Man's Land asks Jake Allyn and Frank Grillo to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of No Man's Land is established with useful clarity: When a vigilante border patrol turns fatal, a man flees on horseback to Mexico, seeking forgiveness from the victim's father. That direct approach lets No Man's
Aug 103 min read
Archive
What stands out first about Archive is the confidence with which Gavin Rothery establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Archive asks Theo James and Stacy Martin to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Archive is established with useful clarity: 2038: George Almore is working on a true human equivalent AI. That direct approach lets Archive use its 1h 49m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. Archive gai
Aug 102 min read
Held
What stands out first about Held is the confidence with which Travis Cluff establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Held asks Jill Awbrey and Bart Johnson to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Held is established with useful clarity: A couple's ailing marriage is put to the test when they are held hostage in an isolated vacation rental by an unseen Voice that commands their every move. That direct approach lets Held
Aug 103 min read
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