Tom Hanks in “Captain Phillips”
PICKS OF THE WEEK
“Captain Phillips” (PG-13) — When Somali pirates hijacked an American commercial ship in 2009, a gripping story played out for five days over the worldwide news. In this dramatic retelling of the events, the real-life action becomes a powerful thriller fuelled by bigger ideas. Tom Hanks stars as the titular captain, a hardworking everyman who must face off with the pirate captain (Barkhad Abdi).
Even though you know how the story ends, director Paul Greengrass delivers forceful suspense on top of social commentary that doesn’t feel forced. Tom Hanks is at his stoic best, matched only by his foil — the desperate, emaciated pirate captain who wears a thin mask of thunder and bravado. Out there on the ocean, both men struggle with forces beyond their control.
“Blue Jasmine” (PG-13) — Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) is a shiny member of the Manhattan elite who moves into her sister’s house (and the real world) after the financial collapse. Jasmine’s sister, Ginger (Sally Hawkins), is down-to-earth, but suffers from a chronic lack of judgment with men. Still, it’s Jasmine who is truly a mess — in the same breath, she gripes about her first-class flight from New York and then moans about how penniless she is.
This is easily among the best work Woody Allen has produced in the past decade or so. The movie cuts in flashbacks to Jasmine’s old life while showing the present-day turning point of her moving into her sister’s working-class San Francisco apartment. You’re never entirely sure which way the story is going, who is right and who deserves sympathy.
“In a World …” (R) — First-time writer and director Lake Bell is more than a breath of fresh air, she’s a new set of lungs for the dramatic comedy. Bell plays Carol, a voice coach for voice-over artists. Her ambition is to become a fixture in the world of movie-trailer voices — a tough nut to crack, especially when the field is a boys’ club governed by her father. Bell is backed by an ensemble of comedic actors on their A-games (Nick Offerman, Rob Corddry, Ken Marino and Tig Notaro).
“Instructions Not Included” (PG-13) — Director and start Eugenio Derbez brings us a cute dramedy about growing up and sticking up for what we want. Valentin (Eugenio Derbez) lived the easy life until an old fling dropped off a baby daughter at his doorstep. Valentin learns to love and rely on the little girl as he builds a career as a Hollywood stuntman. The tone shifts to a deeper note when the mother returns six years later, and Valentin realizes he could lose the new center of his life.
TV RELEASES
“NYPD Blue: Season Five”
“The Returned”
“The Cosby Show — Season 1 & 2”
“Wings — Season 3 and 4”
“Comedy Bang Bang: Season 1”
© 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.