Oct 11 2013

Captain Phillips

Based on the events of the 2009 Somali pirate attack against the MV Maersk cargo ship off the coast of Africa, this is amazing but true tale of the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. Taken hostage on his own ship Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) and crew would need to every ounce of cunning and wit to stay one step ahead of their captors; whose fate has been sealed and when exactly will things be “all right?”captainphillipsDirected by Paul Greengrass and based on the book A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea, Greengrass clearly brings his Bourne sensibilities to the party with immersive hand held and shakey camera usage, signature work that leads to claustrophobic but effective story telling, painting in fast chaotic strokes. Acting from Hanks is nothing shy of top notch but even more amazing and mesmerizing is the work of the new found actors playing the pirates, of note Barkhad Abdi’s portrayal of Muse, the lead pirate, is commanding, terrifying, and indelible. Even if you recall how history played out for all involved, a compelling unpeeling of the narrative onion reveals each thrilling detail pulling the audience along in a life raft of its own. Totally worth your 134 minutes, Captain Phillips is rated PG-13.


Oct 4 2013

Gravity

Medical Engineer/Civilian Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) are left adrift in space when a defunct Russian satellite falls out of orbit unleashing a destructive chain reaction. Now it’s up to Stone and Kowalski to push each other in order to survive the ordeal and get back to earth, or is their fate already sealed?gravityMinimalist in its cast and structure Writer/Director Alfonso Cuaron and Writer Jonas Cuaron have put together the quintessential drama/suspense/thriller featuring a genius blend of Person vs. World, Person vs. Self, and Person vs. Nature. Cinematically an impressive feat, my my how far we’ve come since the now infamous and still impressive “Apollo 13?” In 3D IMAX format Cuaron has effectively raised the bar of what we now expect outer space to look like on screen, and he gets the physics of it all correct. Playing on our senses, the use of sound or lack there of pulls us deeper into the narrative, meanwhile, Steven Price’s score casts us further into the depths and darkness of space. Acting from Clooney here isn’t a terrible stretch but fits him perfectly, Bullock continues to show impressive breadth and strength as a serious leading lady. Not one to be missed, Gravity is rated PG-13.


Oct 4 2013

Parkland

On November 22, 1963 President Kennedy’s motorcade rode through Dealey Plaza in Dallas Texas just a little past 12 noon; it was on this day the course of American history would be drastically shaped as Kennedy was assassinated. Rushed to Parkland Hospital, Parkland the film recounts the sequence of events for several of the pivotal but lesser individuals touched by this tragic moment in history; Specifically, Abraham Zapruder (Paul Giamatti) cameraman of what has become the most famous footage of the event, Dr. Carrico (Zac Efron) the attending doctor at Parkland, FBI agent James Hosty (Ron Livingston), Robert Oswald (James Badge Dale) brother of Lee Harvey Oswald, Forrest Sorrels (Billy Bob Thornton) Head of Secret Service for the event, and host of other presidential staff, the list goes on.parklandDusting off what has come to be a fairly understood point in American History writer/director Peter Landesman successfully turns what could be a droll walk down memory lane into a gripping and emotional re-exposure. By finding the edge and untold stories of those orbiting the event the audience is given deeper insight to just how impacting the moment continues to be. Powerful acting from the entire ensemble makes for an immersive watch that spares no detail, wince, or grimace. And, no matter the uncomfortable nature, what’s on the screen is almost sure to hold a captive audience, perhaps hoping for a different outcome? Worth your while, Parkland is rated PG-13.