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Movies CalendarTGIF

Movies: ‘The Gift,’ ‘Fantastic Four’

ALAN MARKFIELD
DF-14999r Reed Richards (Miles Teller) and Sue Storm (Kate Mara) harness their daunting new abilities to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy. Photo credit: Alan Markfield

Wide-release film synopses from the Los Angeles Times. For full reviews of movies opening this weekend, see the Today section.

OPENED WEDNESDAY

‘Shaun the Sheep Movie’ ***

A bored sheep and his flock conspire to take a day off, but when their plan goes awry they’re forced to mount a rescue mission. With the voices of Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes and Omid Djalili. Written and directed by Mark Burton and Richard Starzak. (PG, 1:24)

OPENING FRIDAY

‘Assassination’

(Not reviewed)

During Japan’s colonial rule of Korea, resistance fighters plot to assassinate two high-level targets. With Gianna Jun, Lee Jung-jae, Ha Jung-woo. Written and directed by Choi Dong-hoon. In Korean with English subtitles. (NR, 2:20) At Pearlridge West

‘Fantastic Four’ * 1/2

When a scientific expedition to an alternate universe transforms them, a quartet of outsiders must learn to harness their new abilities and stop a former friend turned enemy. With Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell. Written by Jeremy Slater, Simon Kinberg and Josh Trank. Directed by Trank. In 3-D. (PG-13, 1:40)

‘The Gift’ ***

Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall star, playing a young married couple who have a chance encounter with an old high school acquaintance (Joel Edgerton), throwing their lives into a tailspin. Written and directed by Edgerton. (R, 1:48)

‘Irrational Man’ *

A tormented philosophy professor (Joaquin Phoenix) finds a will to live when he commits a crazy act to help a total stranger. With Emma Stone and Parker Posey. Written and directed by Woody Allen. (R, 1:34) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8

‘Ricki and the Flash’*** 1/2

A fading rock musician (Meryl Streep) who chased stardom at the expense of her family tries to reconnect with her daughter (Mamie Gummer), who has been devastated by her failed marriage. With Kevin Kline and Rick Springfield. Written by Diablo Cody. Directed by Jonathan Demme. (PG-13, 1:40)

NOW PLAYING

‘Ant-Man’ ** 1/2

A master thief (Paul Rudd) seeking redemption dons a suit that allows him to shrink in size but increase in strength to face down a new generation of threats. With Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas and Corey Stoll. Written by Rudd and Adam McKay. Directed by Peyton Reed.(PG-13, 1:57)

‘Inside Out’ *** 1/2

An 11-year-old girl and her family move to a new city, prompting her five personified emotions to help guide her through the transition in this animated film. With the voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black and Mindy Kaling. Written by Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley. Directed by Docter and Ronnie del Carmen. (PG, 1:35) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Koko Marina

‘Jurassic World’ ***

At an island theme park where dinosaurs have been resurrected through science, a genetically engineered specimen escapes confinement and plunges the park into chaos. With Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and Vincent D’Onofrio. Written by Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow. Directed by Trevorrow. In 3-D. (PG-13, 2:04) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘Minions’ *** 1/2

The capsule-shaped creatures known as Minions search for a new evil mastermind to follow in this spinoff of the “Despicable Me” animated films. With the voices of Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm. Written by Brian Lynch. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda. In 3-D.(PG, 1:28)

‘Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation’***

With the IMF disbanded, secret agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team face off against a shadowy group of highly trained operatives hellbent on creating a new world order. With Jeremy Renner and Rebecca Ferguson. Written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie. (PG-13, 2:11)

‘Mr. Holmes’ ***

In 1947, an aging Sherlock Holmes faces the end of his days in a remote seaside farmhouse, where he begins to rely on his housekeeper’s young son and revisits the unsolved case that forced him into retirement. With Ian McKellen, Laura Linney and Milo Parker. Written by Jeffrey Hatcher. Directed by Bill Condon. (PG, 1:34) At Kahala 8 and Koolau Stadium 10

‘Paper Towns’ ***

When his enigmatic crush (Cara Delevingne) disappears after taking him on an all-night adventure, a dorky high school student (Nat Wolff) follows a trail of clues to track her down. Written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. Directed by Jake Schreier. (PG-13,1:49) At Ward Stadium 16

‘Pixels’ **

Aliens misinterpret videos of classic arcade video games as a declaration of war and use them as models for an invasion of Earth, and an old-school joystick jockey (Adam Sandler) is enlisted to fend them off. With Kevin James and Michelle Monaghan. Written by Tim Herlihy Dowling. Directed by Chris Columbus. (PG-13, 1:38)

‘Southpaw’ ** 1/2

When a lefty boxing champ (Jake Gyllenhaal) known for his brutal but effective style suffers a personal tragedy, he teams with a hard-bitten former pugilist (Forest Whitaker) to fight his way back to redemption. With Rachel McAdams. Written by Kurt Sutter and Richard Wenk. Directed by Antoine Fuqua. (R, 2:04)

‘Trainwreck’ *** 1/2

A hard-living men’s magazine writer (Amy Schumer) who doesn’t believe in monogamy is thrown for a loop when she starts to fall for her latest profile subject, an endearing sports doctor (Bill Hader). With Brie Larson. Written by Schumer. Directed by Judd Apatow. (R, 2:02)

‘Vacation’ ** 1/2

Following in his father’s footsteps and hoping for some much-needed family bonding, a suburban everyman (Ed Helms) surprises his wife (Christina Applegate) and two sons with a cross-country trip to an amusement park. With Leslie Mann and Chris Hemsworth. Written and directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. (R, 1:39)

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

‘Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection “F”‘

11 a.m. at Dole Cannery Stadium 18 ($13.09), and noon at Pearlridge West ($7.75-$8.50) and Ward Stadium 16 ($8.75-$10) Saturday, Aug. 8

Two members of Frieza’s army hope to find Dragon Balls to revive Frieza, thus seeking revenge on the Saiyans.

‘Enchanted Kingdom 3D’

7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 and Tuesday, Aug. 11 at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $18.85

The creators of “Walking with Dinosaurs 3D” and “Earth” bring seven realms of Africa to the big screen in a spellbinding journey narrated by Idris Elba.

‘Unity’

7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $13.09

The documentary by Shaun Monson, a follow-up to his 2005 film “Earthlings,” explores what it means to be human, with narration by more than 100 actors, artists, athletes, authors and entertainers.

Arthouse

DORIS DUKE THEATRE

Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St. (532-8768, honolulumuseum.org); $10, $8 members

‘Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck’

1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 1 p.m. Thursday

This authorized documentary on Nirvana’s legendary lead singer/guitarist/songwriter had been in the making for eight years by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Brett Morgen and follows Cobain from his earliest years through the height of his fame, including his struggles with addiction and untimely death. (2014, 2:25)

‘The Wolfpack’

4 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Thursday, and 1 p.m. Wednesday

Crystal Moselle’s powerful documentary showcases the Angulo brothers, nicknamed “Wolfpack,” who spend their childhood years re-enacting their favorite films using elaborate homemade props and costumes while living on welfare, tucked away in isolation in an apartment nestled in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. When one brother escapes, the power dynamics shift in the household, and the “Wolfpack” must learn to adjust into society without disbanding the brotherhood. (2015, 1:20)

Opera on Screen: ‘The Pirates of Penzance’

1 p.m. Sunday and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday; $20, $18 for members

Five-time Oscar nominee Mike Leigh directs his first-ever opera for the stage based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s comedy about sentimental pirates, blundering policemen and a random mixture of crazy adventures. Captured live in May. (3:10)

MOVIE MUSEUM

3566 Harding Ave. (735-8771); $5, $4 members

‘Far From the Madding Crowd’

11 a.m. and 3:45 and 5:45 p.m. Friday; 1:45, 4 and 8 p.m. Sunday

Adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s romantic novel about a plucky and independent orphan with an education but no fortune. Three men vie for her attention: Will she ultimately choose the sheep farmer, rich neighbor or handsome, arrogant sergeant? Rated PG-13. (2015, U.K./U.S., 1:59)

‘Dreams for Sale’ (‘Yume uru futari’)

1:15 and 8 p.m. Friday, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday

After a couple loses everything when their izakaya burns to the ground, the wife has her charming husband promise marriage to lonely women to bilk them out of their money. But as they get closer to reaching their financial goals, their marriage begins to get strained. For ages 15 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (2012, Japan, 2:14)

‘Edo Castle Rebellion’ (‘Edo-jo tairan’)

11 a.m. and 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday

In 1680 a fierce, covert battle and familial intrigue over the succession of shoguns ensues after Tokugawa Shogun Ietsuna falls gravely ill and his brother declines to take over the responsibility. Directed by Toshio Masuda (“Tora! Tora! Tora!”). For ages 12 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1991, Japan, 1:53)

‘Hugh and Heke’

Noon and 6:15 p.m. Sunday

Hugh, following his doctor’s order to rest, takes his family to a deserted North Island beach with the intent of enjoying a quiet holiday, but the serenity is broken with the arrival of Heke and his family. While the two men squabble over everything, which starts with a battle over a fish, their families try their best to become friends. For ages 12 and older. (2010, New Zealand, 1:27)

‘About Her Brother’

11 a.m. and 2:45 and 6:30 p.m. Monday

Even as Ginko and her daughter Koharu lead a peaceful life in Tokyo, Ginko’s younger brother manages to crash Koharu’s wedding reception and continue to embarrass the family. The other siblings want to disown him, but Ginko struggles to find a place for him. For ages 12 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (2010, Japan, 2:06)

‘Peace’

1:15, 5 and 8:45 p.m. Monday

Documentary about cat lover Toshio, who helps transport disabled and elderly people, and wife Hiroko, a caregiver. Together they care for 91-year-old World War II veteran Shiro Hashimoto, who is dying of lung cancer yet defiantly smokes cigarettes. For ages 15 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (2010, U.S./Japan/South Korea, 1:15)

‘A la Mala’

11 a.m. and 2:45 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday

A struggling actress finds a niche in earning much-needed cash when she is hired by suspicious women to test their significant others’ fidelity. After acing an audition for a TV series and thinking she can finally quit her side job, the producer asks her help in seducing and dumping an ex-boyfriend. Rated PG-13. In Spanish with English subtitles. (2015, Mexico, 1:39)

‘Police’

12:45, 4:30 and 8:15 p.m. Thursday

Crime thriller about a jaded detective who, after arresting an Arab drug dealer, falls for the dealer’s girlfriend. The pair carry on by playing a dangerous game involving $200,000 and a bagful of heroin. With Gerard Depardieu and Sophie Marceau. For ages 15 and older. In French with English subtitles. (1985, France, 1:53)

FRESH CAFE DOWNTOWN

“Monday Dinner Theatre,” 7 p.m. Monday, 1111 Nuuanu Ave. (436-4326); $5 at the door

‘The Sound of Rio: Brasileirinho’

Musical documentary about “choro,” an older style of playing that is a foundation of Brazilian composition, which features a star-studded concert by Trio Madeira Brasil. Directed by Mika Kaurismaki. (2005, 1:30)

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