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What stands out first about The Lady of Heaven is the confidence with which Eli King establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Lady of Heaven asks Denise Black and Gabriel Cartade to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Lady of Heaven is established with useful clarity: Two stories separated by 1400 years. That direct approach lets The Lady of Heaven use its 2h 21m running time for character, atmosphere and cons

What stands out first about Montana Story is the confidence with which Scott McGehee establishes its western identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Montana Story asks Haley Lu Richardson and Owen Teague to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Montana Story is established with useful clarity: Two estranged siblings return home to the sprawling ranch they once knew and loved, confronting a deep and bitter family legacy against a mythic American b

What stands out first about The Deer King is the confidence with which Masashi Andô establishes its animated adventure identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Deer King asks Shin'ichi Tsutsumi and Ryoma Takeuchi to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Deer King is established with useful clarity: The last survivor of a band of warriors is enslaved in a salt mine. That direct approach lets The Deer King use its 1h 53m running time for cha

What stands out first about Waterman is the confidence with which Isaac Halasima establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Waterman asks Duane DeSoto and Ralph Edwards to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Waterman is established with useful clarity: Five time Olympic medalist and Native Hawaiian Duke Paoa Kahanamoku shattered records and brought surfing to the world while overcoming a lifetime of personal challenges.

What stands out first about Clean is the confidence with which Paul Solet establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Clean asks Adrien Brody and Glenn Fleshler to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Clean is established with useful clarity: Tormented by his past, a garbage man named Clean attempts a quiet life of redemption. That direct approach lets Clean use its 1h 34m running time for character, atmosphere and conseq

What stands out first about Mad God is the confidence with which Phil Tippett establishes its animated adventure identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Mad God asks Alex Cox and Niketa Roman to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Mad God is established with useful clarity: The Assassin travels through a nightmare underworld of tortured souls, ruined cities and wretched monstrosities forged from the primordial horrors of the unconscious mind of

What stands out first about Flee is the confidence with which Jonas Poher Rasmussen establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Flee asks Daniel Karimyar and Fardin Mijdzadeh to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Flee is established with useful clarity: A man look back over his life as he grapples with a painful secret he has keep hidden for 20 years, one that threatens to derail the life he has built for as the central

What stands out first about The Forgiven is the confidence with which John Michael McDonagh establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Forgiven asks Aissam Taamart and Omar Ghazaoui to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Forgiven is established with useful clarity: A fatal accident disrupts the lives of Western visitors to a lavish party in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and will ultimately lead to a reckoning i

What stands out first about The Battle at Lake Changjin is the confidence with which Kaige Chen establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Battle at Lake Changjin asks Jing Wu and Jackson Yee to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Battle at Lake Changjin is established with useful clarity: In the fierce battlefield in the midst of the harsh weather conditions, Wu Qian Li and Wu Wan Li, two brothers soldier inclu

What stands out first about Escape from Mogadishu is the confidence with which Ryoo Seung wan establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Escape from Mogadishu asks Kim Yoon seok and Zo In sung to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Escape from Mogadishu is established with useful clarity: In war torn Somalia in 1991, the personnel and families of both the South Korean and North Korean embassies share the same goal: to e

What stands out first about Dad, I'm Sorry is the confidence with which Tran Thanh establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Dad, I'm Sorry asks Tran Thanh and Tuan Tran to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Dad, I'm Sorry is established with useful clarity: Ba Sang makes daily sacrifices to support his dysfunctional family, which includes his siblings and his YouTuber son. That direct approach lets Dad, I'm Sorry use its

What stands out first about Inu oh is the confidence with which Fûga Yamashiro establishes its animated adventure identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Inu oh asks Avu chan and Mirai Moriyama to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Inu oh is established with useful clarity: A cursed dancer and a musician stun society with electrifying concerts in this animated rock opera. That direct approach lets Inu oh use its 1h 38m running time for charact