It’s been a while since Tom Hanks really knocked one out of the park. But the guy may be getting ready to snag yet another Oscar nomination after his intense performance of real life “Captain Phillips” in the latest thriller from director Paul Greengrass.

There are two terrific performances in this movie. One comes from newbie actor Barkhad Abdirahman, who plays one of the Somali pirates. He goes toe to toe with Hanks with wide eyed intensity. But….this is Hanks’ movie. No one is ever going to deny that.

What really stands out is the intensity of this flick — and all the credit to Greengrass and screenwriter Billy Ray.

Director Paul Greengrass is no stranger to executing tightly wound action movies having directed matt Damon in “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Bourne Ultimatum”. He’s also tackled real life events with “United 93” and “The Green Zone”. His latest flick tackles the amazing true story of a ship captain who was captured by Somali pirates in 2009 and the incredible stand off that went down in the Indian Ocean.

What’s crazy about this movie is as Hollywood-ish as it plays out sometimes, including a crazy finale standoff that finds Cpt. Phillips caught in the middle between the pirates and the rescuing Navy SEALS. But it all happened. Well….for the most part. This is Hollywood after all.

Continue reading full CAPTAIN PHILLIPS movie review at Examiner.com

Release date: October 11, 2013

Directed by: Paul Greengrass

Written by: Billy Ray

Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdirahman, Max Martini, and Barkhad Abdi

Official website: www.captainphillipsmovie.com

Captain Phillips theatrical trailer:

Photo and property of Columbia Pictures