RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — “In the Heart of the Sea” is the true story that inspired the story of “Moby Dick.” Set in 1820, it tells the tale of a Nantucket based boat locked in a hunt for a massive whale. Chris Hemsworth is the faithful first mate trying to keep the Essex afloat. Ben Whishaw stars as author Herman Melville who would use the story as inspiation for his famous book. Directed by Ron Howard, the film is rated pg-13.
Already in theaters, “Creed” finds the son of boxer Apollo Creed following in his father’s footsteps. Played by Michal B. Jordan, he reaches out to his father’s old friend Rocky Balboa, played once again by Sylvester Stallone to help him get ready for his first big bout.
Creed takes the “Rocky” series in a promising new direction, while paying heavy tribute to where the series has come from. Its nice to see Stallone embracing his age and stepping away from the ring. It does get a little heavy on the metaphors and cliches but Jordan and Stallone, along with Ryan Coogler’s energetic directing, keep the film swinging. One, two round boxing match is one long take, with no cuts is a dazzling sequence. The camera zooms and pans between the fighters like some well choreographed dance sequence. “Creed” earns a B+.
