The Post

Equal parts history lesson and current events commentary, this President’s Men (and Women) prequel delivers a good lead but fails to follow it up compellingly. Hanks and Streep easily traverse their tiny character arcs, while lesser roles are occupied by TV regulars, all on a quest to break something bad.

Sully

Flight 2 manages to milk just enough thrust from its solitary two-minute action sequence to coast through a feature-length film and ultimately nail a smooth and satisfying landing. Linney’s storyline feels like an artificial addition but Hanks delivers both passengers and performance while Eckhart supports more than just his mustache.

Bridge of Spies

A crisp and fascinating true story, backlit by brilliant cinematography and filled in with Coens’ comedy.  Hanks walks a narrow bridge between emotional detachment and raw likeability.  Film inverts interrogators by delving deeply into Rylance’s able Abel while all but ignoring less powerful Powers.  Weirdly over-happy ending, but hey… Spielberg.

Captain Phillips

Forrest goes to sea in Saving Maersk’s Cargo where he resists hijacking by disgruntled Somali limousine pirates with characterization as deep and tempers as turbulent as the film’s oceanic setting.  Greengrass’ blue sea thriller soars with the tension of United 93, and is expertly captained by subtle but poignant Hanks.