Wide-release film synopses from the Los Angeles Times.

OPENING FRIDAY

‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip’ *

Alvin, Simon and Theodore must get to Miami in three days to stop Dave from proposing. (PG, 1:26)

‘Bajirao Mastani’

(Not reviewed)

Historial romance about Bajirao I (Ranveer Singh) of the Maratha Empire and his second wife Mastani (Deepika Padukone). With Priyanka Chopra and Mahesh Manjrekar. In Hindi with English subtitles. (NR, 2:38) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘Dilwale’

(Not reviewed)

Bollywood film about the relationship between Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Meera (Kajol). With Vinod Khanna, Kabir Bedi, Johnny Lever, Boman Irani, Sanjay Mishra and Varun Sharma. (NR, 2:30) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘Mojin: The Lost Legend’

(Not reviewed)

An offer from a mysterious stranger returns a trio of grave robbers to the world of high-stakes tomb-raiding. With Shu Qi, Chen Kun, Angelababy, Huang Bo, Xia Yu. Directed by Wuershan. In Chinese with English subtitles. (NR, 2:07) At Pearlridge West

‘Sisters’ **

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star as out-of-touch siblings who return to clean out their childhood home when their parents decide to sell and throw one last party for old times’ sake. With Maya Rudolph, John Leguizamo, Dianne Wiest and James Brolin. Written by Paula Pell. Directed by Jason Moore. (R, 1:58)

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ ***1/2

Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher return for the latest installment of the space saga as it kicks off another trilogy set in a galaxy far, far away. With Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Written by J.J. Abrams & Lawrence Kasdan. Directed by Abrams. (PG-13, 2:16)

NOW PLAYING

‘A Second Chance’

(Not reviewed)

John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo resurrect their roles as Poppy and Basha in this sequel to the 2007 romantic film “One More Chance.” (NR, 2:10) At Pearlridge West

‘The Assassin’ ****

In ninth-century China, a young woman, who had been abducted as a child and raised by a nun who trained her in the martial arts, returns home to assassinate a man she once loved. With Shu Qi and Chang Chen. Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (NR, 1:44) At Kahala 8

‘Brooklyn’ ****

A young Irish immigrant (Saoirse Ronan) making her way through 1950s Brooklyn is torn between her new home and the pull of her past. With Domhnall Gleeson and Emory Cohen. Written by Nick Hornby. Directed by John Crowley. (PG-13, 1:51) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8

‘Creed’ ***1/2

“Fruitvale Station” star Michael B. Jordan portrays Apollo Creed’s son, who asks his late father’s former rival, Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, to return to boxing as his trainer. With Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad and Anthony Bellew. Directed by Ryan Coogler; written by Coogler and Aaron Covington, based on characters from the “Rocky” series written by Stallone. (PG-13, 2:12)

‘The Good Dinosaur’ **1/2

An apatosaurus makes a human friend in a world where dinosaurs did not go extinct in Pixar’s latest animated film. With the voices of Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand, Steve Zahn, Anna Paquin and Sam Elliott. Directed by Peter Sohn. (PG, 1:40)

‘Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2’ ***

Jennifer Lawrence is back for the fourth and final film in the young adult franchise, which pits Katniss and friends against President Snow as they attempt to liberate the citizens of Panem. With Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Donald Sutherland. Written by Peter Craig and Danny Strong; adaptation by Suzanne Collins, based on her novel “Mockingjay.” Directed by Francis Lawrence. (PG-13, 2:17)

‘In the Heart of the Sea’ **

Ron Howard directed this epic about the 1820 battle between the whaling ship Essex and a mammoth whale off the coast of New England that inspired “Moby-Dick.” With Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw and Brendan Gleeson. Written by Charles Leavitt, story by Leavitt, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, based on the book “In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex,” by Nathaniel Philbrick. (PG-13, 2:01)

‘Krampus’

(Not reviewed)

A family’s lack of Christmas spirit triggers the onslaught of a dark force and his minions. With Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner and Conchata Ferrell. Co-written by Michael Dougherty, Zach Shields and Todd Casey. Directed by Dougherty. (PG-13, 1:38)

‘Love the Coopers’ HH

Four generations gather for their annual Christmas Eve festivities, which are upended by unexpected guests and a surprising turn of events. With Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Diane Keaton and Olivia Wilde. Written by Steven Rogers. Directed by Jessie Nelson. (PG-13, 1:47) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Windward Stadium 10

‘Macbeth’ HH

Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard star in William Shakespeare’s bloody tale of a Scottish general driven by his ambitious wife to seek the throne by any means necessary. With Paddy Considine and David Thewlis. Written by Jacob Koskoff, Todd Louiso and Michael Lesslie, based on the play. Directed by Justin Kurzel. (R, 1:53) At Kahala 8

‘The Night Before’ **1/2

Three longtime friends — Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie — fend off adulthood while pursuing the ultimate Christmas party. With Lizzy Caplan, Jillian Bell, Michael Shannon and Mindy Kaling. Written by Jonathan Levine, Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir. Directed by Levine. (R, 1:41)

‘Spectre’ **1/2

A cryptic message from his past sends secret agent James Bond on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. With Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz and Lea Seydoux. Written by John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. Directed by Sam Mendes. (PG-13, 2:28) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘Spotlight’ ****

A fact-based drama about the Boston Globe’s monthslong investigation of a cover-up of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. With Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber and Mark Ruffalo. Written by Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer. Directed by McCarthy. (R, 2:08) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Turner Classic Movies Presents: “Miracle on 34th Street”

2 and 7 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $13

Although this movie didn’t win an Oscar for best picture in 1948, it did take home best supporting actor (Edmund Gwenn), and best writing in the original story (Valentine Davis) and screenplay (George Seaton) categories. Also stars Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Gene Lockhart and Natalie Wood. (PG, 2:30)

Bolshoi Ballet: ‘ The Nutcracker’

12:30 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kahala 8, $20

Holiday classic stars Denis Rodkin as the prince and Anna Nikulina as Marie. (NR, 2:15)

ARTHOUSE

DORIS DUKE THEATRE

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

The A-List

Festival runs through Jan. 1. Curator Abbie Algar selects the best films released in theaters and festivals throughout the year.

>> ‘Heart of a Dog’

1 p.m. today and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Renowned multidisciplinary artist Laurie Anderson directs this feature autobiographical film surrounding the love and loss of her beloved dog Lolabelle. The work draws from her own animations, archival 8 mm film and photos of pooches. (2015, 1:15)

‘The Quay Brothers in 35mm’

7:30 p.m. today

Features 35 mm prints of three short films (“In Absentia,” “The Comb” and “Street of Crocodiles”) by Stephen and Timothy Quay as selected by director Christopher Nolan and screened with his new short documentary “Quay.” (1:10)

>> ‘Johnnie To’s Office’

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

Movie musical about high-level corporate intrigue, filmed entirely on a three-story, $6.3 million set. When a feared and respected CEO plans to take her billion-dollar company public following the 2008 global financial crisis, her chairman and former mentor-turned-lover learns of her backroom dealings through an audit. In Cantonese and Mandarin with English subtitles. (2015, China/Hong Kong, 1:57)

>> ‘My Love, Don’t Cross That River’

4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Wednesday

This box office record-breaker in Korea last year is about an elderly couple, married for 76 years, who face the question of how one will survive when the other dies. In Korean with English subtitles. (2014, S. Korea, 1:26)

‘The Assassin’

7:30 p.m. Saturday

Legendary Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien’s Cannes Film Festival award-winner takes place in ninth-century China, when a young woman who was abducted as a child is raised by a nun who trains her in martial arts. After living in exile for 13 years, she returns to her birthplace as an assassin who is ordered to kill her husband-to-be. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (2015, Taiwan/China/Hong Kong/France, 1:47)

>> ‘The Look of Silence’

4 p.m. Sunday

Joshua Oppenheimer’s follow-up to the Oscar-nominated “The Act of Killing” documents the perpetrators of the Indonesian genocide as parents learn how their son was slain and the identity of the killers. In Indonesian with English subtitles. (2014, Denmark/Indonesia/Finland/Norway/U.K./Israel/France/U.S./Germany/Netherlands, 1:43)

>> ‘The Second Mother’ (‘Que Horas Ela Volta?’)

1 p.m. Tuesday

Relationship dynamics change and loyalties are tested when the estranged daughter of a hardworking, devoted live-in housekeeper to a wealthy family unexpectedly shows up. In Portuguese with English subtitles. (2015, Brazil, 1:52)

>> ‘Breathe’ (‘Respire’)

7:30 p.m. Tuesday

The depth of female friendships and teenage infatuations is explored in Melanie Laurent’s adaptation of the French young-adult novel. When Charlie meets transfer student Sarah, they instantly form a connection, and their relationship goes beyond unspoken intimacy — but in turn, jealousy and unrealistic expectations develop. In French with English subtitles. (2014, France, 1:31)

>> ‘Ayanda’

1 p.m. Thursday

Coming-of-age tale about a 21-year-old artist who endures a journey of self-discovery while struggling to save her father’s car repair shop and refusing to allow her femininity to define or hinder her. In Zulu, Sesotho and English with English subtitles. (2015, S. Africa, 1:58)

>> ‘East Side Sushi’

7:30 p.m. Thursday

Anthony Lucero directs this “foodie gem” about a hardworking, Latina single mother who lands a job as a kitchen assistant in a local Japanese restaurant. She secretly observes the sushi chefs in action and teaches herself how to make a multitude of sushi in an attempt to achieve her lifelong goal of becoming a sushi chef, but she faces many hurdles as a non-Japanese woman. In Spanish and English with English subtitles. (2014, 1:40)

MOVIE MUSEUM

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

‘Messy Christmas’

11 a.m. and 3 and 7 p.m. today; and 3, 4:45 and 6:30 p.m. Monday

Sara invites her three ex-husbands to a Christmas party where, to her husband Jan’s surprise, she reveals she’s pregnant. However, unbeknownst to her, Jan had a vasectomy — so who is the baby’s father? For ages 15 and older. In German with English subtitles. (2007, Germany, 1:30)

‘Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation’

12:45, 4:45 and 8:45 p.m. today; and 11 a.m. and 4, 6:15 and 8:45 p.m. Saturday

In this fifth installment, Ethan Hunt goes on a solo mission to pursue a criminal organization called the Syndicate. With Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Ferguson, Alec Baldwin and Ving Rhames. Rated PG-13. (2015, U.S./Hong Kong/China, 2:11)

Double feature:

1:15 p.m. Saturday

>> ‘Father Brown’ (‘The Detective’)

When a master thief steals a holy relic that is under the watch of Father Brown, the priest is determined to get it back while making sure the thief repents his wicked ways. For all ages. (1954, U.K., 1:31)

>> ‘The Avengers: The Interrogators’

An agent discovers an ingenious method of getting British agents to reveal confidential information. Spoof of “The Manchurian Candidate” starring Christopher Lee as the villain, David Sumner and Patrick Newell. For ages 12 and older. (1969, U.K., 0:50)

‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’

Noon, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday

At the urging of his mother, a high-school student visits a classmate he barely knows who has been diagnosed with leukemia, and in the end they develop a true friendship. Rated PG-13. (2015, 1:45)

Double feature:

2 p.m. Sunday and noon and 8:15 p.m. Monday

>> ‘Minder: Another Bride, Another Groom’

In this British television series, con man Arthur organizes his niece’s wedding. With George Cole and Dennis Waterman. (1982, U.K., 0:52)

>> ‘Minder on the Orient Express’

In this feature-length special of the hit British TV series, Terry goes on a highly anticipated vacation with his girlfriend and is surprised when his rogue boss shows up on the fabled train. With George Cole and Dennis Waterman. For ages 12 and older. (1985, U.K., 1:46)

‘A Matter of Life and Death’

1 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday

At the end of World War II, the pilot of a British bomber about to go down in flames touches base with ground controller June. They form an emotional bond before he jumps out of the plane. He survives, and they end up falling in love; but heaven says he was not meant to survive and will leave his fate up to the heavenly court above. For all ages. (1946, U.K., 1:44)

‘A Feast at Midnight’

3 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday

When a stern Latin teacher disallows 10-year-old Magnus to visit his sick father, Magnus forms a secret society dedicated to creating delicious desserts in an effort to create contraband delights in an act of sweet revenge. With Christopher Lee. (1994, U.K., 1:42)

‘A Christmas Carol’

5 p.m. Thursday

This rendition of the Charles Dickens classic stars Alastair Sim as Scrooge, a mean miser visited one night by ghosts who aim to teach him the true spirit of Christmas. For all ages. (1951, U.K., 1:26)

FRESH CAFE DOWNTOWN

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

‘A Christmas Story’

In this cult holiday favorite, based on the story by Jean Shepherd, young Ralphie Parker’s only wish is to get a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas as he spends most of his time dodging a bully. (1983, 1:34)