Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips, 2013 movie starring Tom Hanks is a wonderfully intense –worth watching. I was totally engaged from the very beginning and all the way through until the climactic end. There was not a moment that I was not riveted to the screen. The story, based on true events, was told expertly but rather blandly, without special effects, superhero fanfare, political preaching, heavy-handed patriotism or moral lessons. How refreshing! It was a straightforward story, told a straightforward way, there was more than enough content and drama to make a fantastic movie. I'm sure there was pressure to make it a "blockbuster" – Die Hard, Zero Dark thirty, type of film, but the director, writer, producers and actors resisted this temptation. Instead, making an almost documentary type of film that is low-key and yet horrifying in its portrayal of real events. I believe that the producers tried to present "Just the facts, please." but, there is some controversy about this – nevertheless, the film is realistic and believable.

Tom Hanks did a superb job as the captain. He seemed to be just an ordinary man, going about his business/his work, but I empathized with him immediately. I was able to feel what he felt—the terror, the fear, the uncertainty. I have to admit that during the last couple of minutes of the movie, I had to ask someone to wipe the tears from my eyes. The Somali actors were also superb. This is not a movie for young children, too intense, but adults who like good acting and nonstop suspense/action will enjoy it. I believe this is not a movie with a hidden agenda, but I'm sure some people will try to find one – you know, violent poverty-stricken Somalis versus rich American vessels filled with capital goods for the world. Please don't bother looking for the message, there isn't one. It's just an expertly made real life story. Worth a rental. Bravo!

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Jiro Dreams of Sushi, a documentary film about the most famous and most skilled sushi master in Japan, is very much worth watching whether you love sushi or not. You can view this documentary on PBS.org/Independent lens, as well as Netflix. Jiro is in his late 80s and nowhere near contemplating retirement. He runs a small sushi shop in Ginza, Tokyo with his first son and several apprentices. The restaurant has no menu – you eat whatever the master chef serves you. There are no appetizers or other dishes, only sushi. You get one delicious piece at a time. There's no background music, no noise or loud chatter. You must make reservations at least one month in advance. Prices begin at $300 per person, and ultimately depend on the price of the fresh fish/seafood purchased for that day. There are usually no more than 10 customers in the restaurant at any one time.

The film tells the story of Jiro – How he grew up, how he worked hard every day of his life to become the most skilled sushi master in Japan. There's very little narration, it's mostly the words of Jiro, his sons and the apprentices that do the talking. The dialogue – English subtitles – is excellent and very engaging. The photography is wonderful. Jiro's philosophy of life and work probably seem quite severe and harsh to today's younger generation, but actually his outlook on life/work make him a contented and happy man. He believes that to master a skill, such as making the perfect sushi, is worth his life's ambition and commitment. To achieve this is true happiness, money doesn't matter. I doubt seriously whether many young people today would feel that work, any kind of work, is worthy of this type of complete commitment or could bring true happiness... There really is quite a lot to be learned about Japan, Japanese culture, life and work from this film. It is much more than just sushi.

'2' guns

'2' guns, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg was on my list of movies to watch on a Friday night when I was looking for a couple of hours of guns, explosions, bad guys and mindless action. This movie had all of that, and the real drawl was the "cool factor" of Washington and Wahlberg together. It was no Training Day, but it was good fun. The plot was unrealistic and stupid – everyone was corrupt, the DEA, the CIA and the NCIS. Since when does the Navy investigate drug trafficking? Washington and Wahlberg were actually the good guys, double-crossed by their bosses for millions of dollars that they stole from a bank as part of a undercover operation. The money was supposedly some kind of CIA slush fund gotten through deals with the drug cartels – sheesh! A weird and convoluted plot, but that didn't matter. All we needed was some really bad guys for Washington and Wahlberg to go against – it could've been anybody. Some of the dialogue was funny. Denzel Washington of course is the better actor, and still for my money, one of the coolest dudes around. Wahlberg, I usually don't like very much, but he did a decent job in this film. So, if you're in mood for a rental with lots of action, and a couple of cool dudes – check it out. If you don't expect too much realism, this movie should entertain you.

Jack the Giant Slayer

Jack the Giant Slayer, one of the many action movies that came out during the summer of 2013, was actually better than I expected. I usually shun remakes, especially the so-called reimagining of the classic fairy tales. Most have been dismal failures, and in general, I'm afraid that there's an entire generation that has missed out on the original magic of the stories as they were meant to be told. The Wizard of Oz, Snow White, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, and Hanzel and Gretel – are just a few that have wandered through the movie theaters in the last couple of years, and now we have Jack and the Bean Stock. I am not sure what possessed me to watch this movie, other than the fact that it was free and I was in the mood for some lighthearted entertainment. It turned out to be worth the money and the time to watch. The script tried to remain faithful to the original, I like the fact that it began with a mother and father reading the story of Jack and the Bean Stock to their children. The little boy and little girl become the main characters of the adventure. The movie is not ashamed to be "fairytale like" – it doesn't try to be anything more than good fun and adventure. The acting is passable and no big name actors or actresses to embarrass themselves. The computer-generated giants are scary enough for the children, and do some gross and silly things for the camera. All in all, pretty good PG family fun. With some reservation, I recommend this if you got nothing else to watch with your kids.