Captain Phillips

THE GIST: American cargo ship Maersk Alabama is sailing off the coast of Somalia when it's hijacked by a group of pirates. All Captain Phillips and his crew can do now is hope for rescue.

Captain Phillips is a really tight and suspenseful drama with the added gravitas of being based on a true story.

The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, and Supporting Actor (for newcomer Barkhad Abdi).

Tom Hanks serves up another indelible performance—in the final scene, he really makes you feel the mental and physical anguish and terror the real Captain Phillips must have felt at the time.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Absolutely recommended for the true story recounted and for a modest understanding of the motivations behind some people's desperate acts.

Grade: 8