Captain Phillips Movie Review

Captain Phillips SEAsed the Day

The U.S. cargo ship Maersk Alabama, captained by Richard Phillips and played by Tom Hanks, is on a risky route around the coast of Africa to deliver supplies to countries in Africa. Already aware of the pirate ridden seas, Captain Phillips and First Officer Shane Murphy (Michael Chernus) run preventative safety drills only to discover alleged pirate boats on their radar. After the clever tactics of Captain Phillips, one of the boats tailing the ship decides to turn back. The other boat is an armed group of Somali pirates. They later manage to hijack the cargo ship and Captain Phillips heroically sends the ships crew to hide out while he remains in the control room.

Somali pirates, Abduwali Muse (Barkhad Abdi), Walid Elmi (Mahat M. Ali), Nour Najee (Faysal Ahmed), and Adan Bilal (Barkhad Abdirahman) Walid Elmi (Mahat M. Ali) find Captain Phillips and after demanding a large ransom, also want to search the ship due to the absence of the crew. While searching with Phillips as their prisoner, the ship crew captures Abduwali Muse and demands Captain Phillips in exchange for him. However things take a (s)tern for the worst, and in an aggressive negotiation with the crew the Somali pirates end up taking the ransom money and not releasing Captain Phillips. They all board an emergency lifeboat and head back towards Somalia. Now the ship's crew is left to contact the U.S. forces for help. 

The character driven crew, specifically First Officer Shane Murphy, put you on the edge of your seat with their persistent journey to rescue Captain Phillips. In my opinion, they brought the most emotion to the film.
It can also be seen as the theme of the story. The determined team's unflagging venture was very moving and added a hopeful affect to the intense climax of the movie.
The ideal audience demographic for 'Captain Phillips' is anyone 13 and up who can handle thrilling story lines and violence. It is a pretty graphic movie with some light profanity so PG13+ is a fair rating.

I give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars. The movie progressed fairly low at the beginning, but once the plot became clear I couldn't look away. It was intriguing and kind of phycological the way things were handled. The certain details that the film exposed made you think about the events from every perspective. I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for a suspenseful film for movie night.


Word Count: 411

Movie Prep

1. Who are the main characters you would expect to see in the movie, based on the real life events?
Captain Phillips, Captain Larry Aasheim, Chief Engineer Mike Perry, and the pirates.
2. Briefly, in 2-3 paragraphs, tell me what you expect the plot to be in the movie, based on the real life events?
I think the movie will start on the, Bainbridge, marine ship. The radar will start beeping and the team will have to shake off some pirates. A few days later they'll board and hijack the ship, taking Captain Phillips as hostage. 
3. Why was this story important?
This story is important because it's the heroic story of a Captain sacrificing himself for the crew.
4. Why did the pirates try to take the ship?
The article states that they were supposedly going trying to sail it to Somalia.
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1. List the five most important actors in the film.
Captain Richard Phillips

2. What is the movie rated?
PG-13

3. Who directed the movie?
Paul Greengrass

4. Who was the producer?
It was produced by Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, and Michael De Luca.

5. What awards did it win?
Best Editing from the San Diego Film Critics Society, Best Sound Editing: Dialogue & ADR in a Feature Film from Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards, Supporting Actor of the Year from London Film Critics Circle Awards, Best Edited Feature Film - Dramatic from American Cinema Editors, Top 10 Films of the Year from American Film Institute, Outstanding Supporting Actor from the Black Reel Awards, Outstanding Breakthrough Performance- Male from the Black Reel Awards, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role from the BAFTA Awards.

6. How much did it cost to make?
$55 million

7. How was it received by audiences?
Audience reviews were good. It did well in box offices.

8. What did other movie reviews think about the movie?
 Some accused it of portraying Captain Phillips as a hero, when he reality there were accusations of wether he ignored the orders to not sail into certain areas.

Final Exam Preview Assingment

1.) Summarize what you watched and read about - let's say 2-3 paragraphs of 3-4 sentences
I learned about the basic functions of iMovie as well as adding titles and effects. These functions will help form the base on which my video will be created. The are different sections in iMovie include the timeline, clipboard, and video screen. There are also many different controls and settings on the iMovie software that can change the view options. The view options control how you view the timeline or edit modes. You are also taught how to change the format of the video to make it accessible on many players.
2.) Tell me one thing that you already knew about iMovie that the website explained
I already knew how to add and edit the clips that form the video.
3.) Tell me one thing that you learned new today that you didn’t know before.
I learned that you can change the view settings and alter the layout of the program.
4.) What are you concerned about with this final project?
I'm concerned with the brainstorming process, I still don't feel like I have any strong ideas to film on.
5.) What are you confident you can complete early and have ready to use?
Once I get the ball rolling I am confident it will be finished quick.
6.) If I asked you today, what do you think you will do for your video?
I think I'll film a friend making a recipe, or follow my dad on one of his business trips.

CE 6.1

1.Who is replacing Andrew Jackson on the face of the $20 bill? Page A1 "Jackson out..."
Harriet Tubman

2. Why is a Texas teachers union suing the head of the state education agency? Page B1 "Teacher union sues..." The Texas teachers union is suing the head of the state education agency because their standards 20% of the teachers scores to how their students preform on standardized tests. These scores affect teacher's raises and wether the are fired.

3. How many people have been killed in weather related accidents in Houston since the big floods of this week? Page B1 "Flood-hit Houston..."
8 people died due to weather related accidents in Houston this week.

4. What is the main focus or subject matter of an experiment that Westlake students were approved to send into space this week? Page B2 "Westlake students' winning..."
The subject of the Westlake student's experiment was algae.

5. What are 4 of the 6 ways to change the look of your room according to the article on page SA2 "Make effective decor...."
You can change the look of your room with a different layout, pint, window treatments, upholstery, rugs, and lighting.

Short Answer: Please read the story on Page A1 "3 officials charge in Flint lead crisis"

What is your reaction to this story? This story pissed me off. I don't like that "the man" is not in jail. It's hard to take down someone in power, even when they do something that endangers thousands of people and families.
Did you know about this issue before reading this story? Yes, I've read about it before.
What should happen to the people who potentially knew that they were poisoning the people of Flint (including a lot of children)? A lot more than misdemeanor charges. These government officials should have been removed from office and detained immediately. No one in power should have had that information and let it go on for so long. I hope the people of Flint, Michigan get the safe drinking water they deserve, and hopefully the officials face jail time. 
If it expands to the governor or even further, should those people be held accountable the same as the rest of the accused city leaders? No, other people might've not been told about the issue, just like the rest of Flint. Not everyone should face severe punishment. An investigation into the staff is probably necessary.

Free Write

Prompt: Good versus evil. Do they truly exist? Are there gray areas? Do good people do bad things?

Good versus evil does really exist. It's an ongoing battle that the world will forever endure. But it's not always the apparent fight between a kind heart and corrupt superpower, it's often just inside us. Deciding what effect you want to have on the world is the biggest good versus evil situation out there. 

Finding yourself is a natural process that hits you in the most fragile time of your life, the teenage years. The new ideas your developing and being exposed to influence your decisions. You gain some perspective on the world which causes you to raise the question, how will I fit in it?

All the theories and plans out there, wether they be political,philosophical, scientific, etc., aren't completely bad or completely good. In a typical situation, some body is always going to benefit from a deal. There are, of course, situations that try and help everyone or end up failing for all parties involved. But the good and evil can be found in the root intention of an action.

Photo Illustrations

Lone Star Dispatch Issue #5

Front Page Story: PALs Mentor Elementary school students

Summary: Some students at Bowie High School participate in a program called PALs, where they go and mentor children. The high school PALs help the students learn more about other situations and get through hard times. 

Who? Bowie High School PALs

What? Mentoring young kids

Where? Local elementary school in the area

When? N/A

Why? It's a bonding experience for the elementary kids and it gives them someone to depend on. 

How? The PALs go to the schools and do activities and bond with their assigned PAL student.

Who was quoted in the story? Amy Cox, Alejandro Garcia, and Macy Hartman 

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "PALS are most importantly friends and mentors to their PALees."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Not really

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Quote

Student Life Story: Freshman Andrea Findley's family travels to Uganda and Rwanda to study war and help the disadvantaged

Summary: Freshman Andrea Findley and her family visited Uganda and Rwanda over the summer last year and got to assist people in need and her their stories.

Who? Andrea Findley and her family

What? Trip to Africa 

Where? Uganda and Rwanda

When? Last summer

Why? To help people in need

How? By giving money and resources to struggling families

Who was quoted in the story? Mike Findley and Andrea Findley

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "It's definitely life-changing because you see how people live, and that they have it really hard, but remain happy through it all."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Yes

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Quote

News Story: Seniors receive nostalgia with four-year-old letters

Summary: The class of 2016 recently got the letters they wrote as freshman, and were able to look back and reflect on what they have done so far in their high school careers.

Who? Bowie Seniors

What? They got the letter back that they wrote as Freshmen

Where? Bowie High School

When? Last week

Why? To see what they were like 4 years ago

How? The letters were just given back to them by their freshmen English teachers

Who was quoted in the story? Shari Blevins, Patricia Conroy, Kandice Cox,Angelica Saenz.

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "The letter showed that I can do something to change my life and make it better."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Yes

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Statement

Athletics Story: Softball team is still undefeated

Summary: Bowie's softball team is making history this year as the first team going undefeated in districts in a long time. They have been putting in a lot of time and hard work into succeeding this season.

Who? Bowie Softball team

What? Their undefeated district record

Where? Bowie High School

When? This season

Why? They haven't lost a game yet

How? They are a strong team that puts forth a lot of effort

Who was quoted in the story? Alex McLennan, Kaley Farnish, and Liz Wissel

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "I feel like our success stems from our work ethic and heart."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Yes

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Quote

Entertainment Story: Band director set to move to a new school at year's end

Summary: Band director, Kim Shuttleworth, is an award winning teacher who always kept her students motivated. Beloved by many, her students shared how she was more than a teacher for them, but a friend as well.

Who? Kim Shuttleworth

What? Her departure from the Bowie staff

Where? Bowie High School

When? At the end of the school year

Why? She is a starting a program at a brand new high school on the outskirts of North Austin

How? N/A

Who was quoted in the story? Kim Shuttleworth, Gianna Nuckols, Lauren Anderson, and Danny Cruz.

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? "I don't know any work outside these walls here, and I wouldn't trade these experiences for anything."

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Yes

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Quote

Commentary Story: Drug dog investigations have students feeling as though their rights are being violated at school

Summary: The recent drug dog investigations have brought up concerns on student rights and safety. The official rules of the school, state search policies that disregard the fourth amendment and make students feel like their under excessive amounts of security.

Who? Students at Bowie High School

What? The constitutional rights of students

Where? Bowie High School

When? This year and with recent drug dog investigations 

Why? It is a concern to students that the policies of security and drug search are too invasive and violent some of their constitutional rights.

How? The drug searches and investigations

Who was quoted in the story? No quotes

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? No quotes

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Yes, it was really strong.

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Statement

MAIN In Depth Story: A Shift in Political Apathy?

Summary: In the past decade, many millennial voters are not present in the voting polls, and this sparks concern for the upcoming presidential race.

Who? Millennial voters

What? The lack of political interest

Where? In the United States

When? This years Presidential election

Why? Because "students are far too busy" to be interested

How? Some of the candidates are very extreme this year

Who was quoted in the story? No quotes

What quote was the strongest in your opinion? No quotes

Did the lead sentence make you want to keep reading? Yes

Was the conclusion a quote or a statement? Statement

PHOTOGRAPHY

1. What is your favorite photo in the entire paper? Page 11, Sliding into home base
1A. Why is this your favorite? It's a really clear action shot.
1B. What rules of photo composition are evident? Large Depth of Field

2. What is your least favorite photo in the entire paper? My least favorite picture was on the front page.
2A. Why is this your least favorite? I didn't connect to the story.

3. If you were a photographer on staff, which event/photo assignment would you have liked to do for this issue? You will need to look through the entire paper and see the topics covered and decide which one you think would have been fun.
I don't know if it's allowed, but I'd want to watch and photograph a drug dog investigation.

4. Overall, how would you rate the photography in this issue? What were the strong points and weak points. I thought the photography was particularly great in this issue. There were lot of good sports pictures.