Captain Phillips (2013)

 

The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. 

Superior hijacking drama based on a true event remains realistic and suspenseful throughout and even avoids political bias; great, intense performances by Hanks and Abdi make it work.

Maltin***: "Gripping, believable account of the true-life hijacking, which extends to some understanding of the Somalis themselves. Director Greengrass' trademark vérité style serves the action, though the film (until its final moments) never quite transcends the status of a very well-done re-creation. Hanks' performance as Phillips builds intensity as it goes along, matched by newcomer Abdi, excellent as the pirate leader."

 

 

Good Time (2017)

 

 

After a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Connie Nikas embarks on a twisted odyssey through New York City's underworld to get his brother Nick out of jail. 

 

Downbeat thriller makes it best delving into all that could go wrong with committing a crime, albeit out of brotherly; Robert Pattinson is perfect as the unfortunate crook.

Eye in the Sky (2015)

A military officer in command of an operation to capture terrorists in Kenya, sees her mission escalate when a girl enters the kill zone triggering an international dispute over the implications of modern warfare.

Good political thriller exposes the moral ambiguity - and hypocrisy and dubious machinations behind targeted drone killings; top cast enhances the credibility of the story.