”Captain Phillips”
Based on actual events in 2009 off the coast of Somalia, the film tells the story of a handful of pirates who take over a freighter being helmed by Capt. Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) in an attempt to earn millions in ransom dollars.
The right casting starts with Tom Hanks, who adds another Oscar-caliber (although he wasn’t nominated) performance to his already stellar resume.
Grade: B+
”Blue Jasmine”
Woody Allen’s latest film — the sobering tale of a fall from grandeur — travels such a similar path to Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” that a better name for the film would have been “A Trolley Car Named Jasmine.”
Jasmine’s ride is not nearly as dramatic as Blanche DuBois’ emotional deconstruction in “Streetcar,” but her journey is made tolerable by an Oscar-worthy performance by Cate Blanchett.
Grade: B
”Instructions Not Included”
The film works because it starts with a simple story. Valentin’s (Eugenio Derbez) carefree playboy life comes to an end when his ex-girlfriend Julie (Jessica Lindsey) drops off the baby daughter he didn’t know he had and heads back to the United States. The only recourse Valentin has is to travel from Acapulco, Mexico, to Los Angeles to find the missing mom.
Grade: B+
Also new
“All Is Lost”: A lone sailor (Robert Redford) battles the dangers of the sea.
“Space Voyages”: Smithsonian Channel’s look at challenges of modern space exploration.
“The Starving Games”: Parody of “The Hunger Games.”
“White House Revealed”: Martin Sheen narrates this behind-the-scenes look at the famous address.
“Raise the Titanic”: Special agent looks to recover critical material from the Titanic.
“NYPD Blue: Season Five”: ABC crime series starring Dennis Franz, Jimmy Smits.
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