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A spoiler free review of The Holdovers begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Alexander Payne, it leans on Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph to give the material a human centre. At story level, New England, Christmas and He shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. Those ingredients give the film a useful foundation, but the lasting impression depends on how well it balances mood, character and momentum. ⁠ Its funnies

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a comedy shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, it leans on Abby Ryder Fortson and Rachel McAdams to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Eleven year old Margaret, She and Barbara into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than n

There is an appealing directness to Priscilla. It knows it is a romance, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Sofia Coppola, it leans on Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi to give the material a human centre. At story level, Priscilla Beaulieu, Elvis Presley and teenage shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The romance depends on believable

American Fiction approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Cord Jefferson, it leans on Jeffrey Wright and Skyler Wright to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Black, novelist and who's into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. The film's first job is to make that setup feel worth following, and it establishes the necessary stakes efficiently. ⁠

At its best, The Bikeriders works as a crime drama that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Jeff Nichols, it leans on Austin Butler and Jodie Comer to give the material a human centre. At story level, Kathy, Benny and Midwestern shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. The result has a recognisable personality from the opening stretch. ⁠ Its strongest material sits in the moral pressure around the central

Strays is a comedy with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Josh Greenbaum, it leans on Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws abandoned, teams and strays into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. That is enough context to enter the film without spoiling the turns that give it shape. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and the film is at its best when it trusts

A spoiler free review of Magic Mike's Last Dance begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, it leans on Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek to give the material a human centre. At story level, Mike, Florida. Mike and London shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. Those ingredients give the film a useful foundation, but the lasting impression depends on how well it balances mood, character and momentum. ⁠ Its fu

Asteroid City does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a comedy shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Wes Anderson, it leans on Jason Schwartzman and Scarlett Johansson to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws World changing, Asteroid Day and American into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ The humour lands

There is an appealing directness to My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. It knows it is a comedy, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Nia Vardalos, it leans on Nia Vardalos and John Corbett to give the material a human centre. At story level, After the, Toula and Greece shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and th

Thanksgiving approaches its horror material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Eli Roth, it leans on Patrick Dempsey and Ty Olsson to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Black Friday, Thanksgiving inspired and Plymouth into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. The film's first job is to make that setup feel worth following, and it establishes the necessary stakes effi

At its best, 65 works as an action film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, it leans on Adam Driver and Ariana Greenblatt to give the material a human centre. At story level, astronaut, crash and lands shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. The result has a recognisable personality from the opening stretch. ⁠ Momentum is the film's main advantage. The set pieces are arra

Plane is an action film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Jean François Richet, it leans on Gerard Butler and Mike Colter to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws pilot, himself and caught into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. That is enough context to enter the film without spoiling the turns that give it shape. ⁠ The action is most convincing when movement serves the characte