Which film got a standing ovation at the New York Film Festival?
Make no mistake: Oscar awards season is in full swing. So many excellent films are slated to come out in the next few weeks and months, it's almost dizzying. I love covering summer blockbusters, but I must confess: I love my Academy Award-caliber movies just as much (if not more). With that in mind, I am still trying to keep track of all the latest and greatest movies, and I'm throwing this one out as a strong contender right now: Captain Phillips.
In Captain Phillips, Tom Hanks stars as Richard Phillips, the captain of the Maersk Alabama cargo vessel that was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. Captain Phillips' memoir is apparently an incredible read, and all indications are that Paul Greengrass and company did a bang-up job with the film transition.
By now you've probably seen the trailers for Captain Phillips, the thriller film directed by the incredibly talented Paul Greengrass (United 93). If you were watching the Breaking Bad finale, you likely saw this fantastic two-minute trailer, but just in case, here it is:
Captain Phillips - Exclusive Sneak Preview - In Theaters 10/11
This past weekend, Captain Phillips premiered at the prestigious New York Film Festival. To say it was well-received would be a huge understatement. As the credits rolled, the festival attendees leapt to their feet to give the movie a standing ovation. Get ready, because this is by all indications a serious Oscar contender for Best Picture, Actor and Director.
With a compelling true life story, another stellar on screen performance by Tom Hanks, and the skills of Paul Greengrass, I suspect that Captain Phillips will be one of my favorite films of 2013. I'll find out when the film opens in U.S. theaters on October 11, 2013. I'll be in line to see this one in IMAX, too.
What do you guys think? Is Captain Phillips a must see?
Photo courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter