This week, Anthony reviews one recent film and one classic film.
Captain Phillips (2013)
Director: Paul Greengrass
Writers: Billy Ray & Richard Phillips
Genre: Drama, Action, Biographical
Stars:
Tom Hanks: Captain Richard Phillips
Barkhad Abdi: Muse
Michael Cernus: Shane Murphy
Catherine Keener: Andrea Phillips
Rating: PG-13
Grade: A
Out on a regular job, cargo ship captain Richard Phillips notices he has to travel past Somalia. While preparing his crew in case of an attack, he notices he was targeted by pirates. After various attempts of dodging them, four armed men jump aboard and hijack the cargo ship. The intentions of the pirates: to steal all cargo and walk away with millions of dollars. Captain Phillips intends to stop them by any means necessary while also keeping his crew safe from harm. But how can one man stop four armed pirates from stealing the ship?
This is a true story of the hijacking of US cargo ship MV Maersk Alabama in 2009, the first American ship hijacked in the last 200 years. From start to finish, “Captain Phillips” keeps you on the edge of your seat. The movie avoided the boring moments attributed to most biographical films. The intensity and realism in every scene keeps you nervous throughout the movie and gives you the feeling as though you were on the ship. Tom Hanks’ performance was superb and stands as one of his best roles next to “Forrest Gump” and “Saving Private Ryan.” Jump aboard the Alabama and enjoy the wild ride which is “Captain Phillips,” but watch out for the end: it will leave you speechless.
The Sandlot (1993)
Director: David M. Evans
Writers: David M. Evans & Robert Gunter
Genre: Drama & Comedy
Stars:
Tom Guiry: Scotty Smalls
Mike Vitar: Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez
Patrick Renna: Hamilton “Ham” Porter
Chauncey Leopardi: Michael “Squints” Palledorous
Rating: PG
Grade: A-
In the 1960s, Scotty Smalls moves to a new town in which he has no friends until he meets Benny Rodriguez. Benny takes Smalls under his wing and introduces him to his friends and their baseball team, and luckily, they need another player. Unathletic but with a desire to learn and make friends, Smalls agrees. Attempting to be more a part of the team, Scotty brings his own baseball to the field. Once hit over the fence, he explains that it was signed by none other than Babe Ruth. Their summer consists of baseball, crazy adventures, run ins with the local lifeguard, and attempts to get past “The Beast.”
With baseball coming to a close, “The Sandlot” is the perfect movie to get you excited for next season. This movie takes you back to childhood memories on the “sandlot” and gives you a strong urge to play again. Being filled with humor, childhood problems, and baseball this is a must see for anyone of any age. It was released 20 years ago last month but took place in the 1960s so some of the lingo and humor is a tad outdated. Nevertheless, the film is still one of the greatest baseball movies and just as relatable as it was then. Lace up your cleats, grab your glove, and remember kid, “heroes get remembered but legends never die.”
My Picks for this week:
My top biographical films: “The Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” and “Moneyball”
My top baseball movies: “42,” “Field of Dreams,” “The Natural” and for the Red Sox fans, “Fever Pitch”
Anthony Micalizzi is a second-year student majoring in history. He can be reached at AM787857@wcupa.edu.