Premise: Barik crashed into the northerner, his sword cutting hard into the rapier's hand-guard.

Hypothesis: Barik cut the northerner.
Answer: yes

Premise: It is especially beautiful at night, when the lights of the city shimmer below.

Hypothesis: When the city lights shimmer below, it is especially beautiful.
Answer: yes

Premise: well we i don't take like Time or Newsweek or anything like that but i do like to watch um CNN i have several chores and things to do so it comes on at like the nine o'clock PM and so i will turn that on while i'm doing some work and i can hear the news not have to sit right down and listen to it

Hypothesis: I usually do my housework in the morning while I listen to CNN.
Answer: no

Premise: Not even star Wesley Snipes' considerable charisma can compensate for the ridiculous plot.

Hypothesis: The ridiculous plot couldn't be compensated by the charisma of Wesley Snipes.
Answer: yes