Two Movies that will Suck you in- Captain Phillips and Rush

Rented from my closest Redbox, the two fifty rental fee was well worth the viewing of these movies.  Both of these movies I started watching with somewhat of a jaundice eye. What more could they do with the formula One racing that hadn't been exposed on the big screen. The movie Rush opened some new ground. Most people were aware of the situation of the seal team rescuing the sea captain from the throws of the Somali pirates. The movie, Captain Phillips, brings this story much more vividly intimate to the movie goer than the news stories of the incident.

Rush

Ron Howard directed this masterpiece of 1970's racing culture. It highlights the rivals for world championships racing for the McClaren and the Ferrari teams. The rivals are as different in personalities as possible. Ferrari, represented by the Austrian, Niki Lauda and, McClaren, represented by James Hunt. James Hunt has the character that we all suspect as formula one drivers. Niki Lauda has the character of the scientist driver moving into racing. The racing scenes are pretty authentic looking and the deeper character building of using your opponent to spur your recover was pretty significant in this film.

This is an engaging film on several levels. Its a snapshot of the middle 70's both in race cars and in fashion. There is an engaging emotional component with the car and quest. There is a interesting plot thread involving the women of these stars. There is also an engaging emotional thread in following how each of them use their rivalry to improve their race performance.

Captain Phillips

The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. Tom Hanks plays the Captain as he attempts to protect his crew and his ship from the Somali pirates that board his ship an attempt to hold it for ransom. The interaction with the pirates and the interdiction of the navy and the seals make this one a real intense movie.

I think that this movie brings new awareness of our shipping business of these enterprises as they travel around these dangerous corridors. I was impressed by how inventive the captain was in protecting his ship before boarding. The toughness of trying to protect his ship from people who had so little to lose was amazing. Each side developed constructs from which to negotiate their side.

This is a beautifully made intense movie.