For full reviews of movies opening this weekend, see the Today section.
OPENING TODAY
‘The Forest’
(Not reviewed)
Despite dire warnings, a young American (Natalie Dormer) enters Japan’s Aokigahara Forest in search of her missing twin sister (also played by Dormer) and encounters the malevolent souls of the dead. With Taylor Kinney, Eoin Macken and Yukiyoshi Ozawa. Written by Sarah Cornwell and Nick Antosca, based on an idea by David S. Goyer. Directed by Jason Zada. (PG-13, 1:33)
‘The Masked Saint’
(Not reviewed)
Faith-based film inspired by the life of Chris Whaley. Christopher (Brett Granstaff) retires from wrestling to become a pastor. When he notices problems in his community he decides to moonlight as a masked vigilante and eventually has to reconcile his secret with his profession. With Lara Jean Chorostecki, T.J. McGibbon, Diahann Carroll and Roddy “Rowdy” Piper. (PG-13, 1:45) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kapolei
‘The Revenant’ ***
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as an explorer left for dead in the wilderness, who fights for survival and a return to his family. With Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter. Written by Mark L. Smith and Alejandro G. Inarritu, based in part on the novel by Michael Punke. Directed by Inarritu. (R, 2:36)
‘The Tiger: An Old Hunter’s Tale’
(Not reviewed)
Set in 1935, when Korea is under the occupation by the Japanese, a bloodthirsty Japanese commander (Ren Osugi) has given the order to kill every native Korean animal. When the last Korean tiger is left, Korean hunter Chun Man-duk (Choi Min-sik) has to decide whether to let the Japanese kill it, or give the tiger the dignity of letting a Korean hunter end its life. In Korean with English subtitles. (Not rated, 2:19) At Pearlridge West
NOW PLAYING
‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip’ H
Alvin, Simon and Theodore must get to Miami in three days to stop Dave from proposing to his new girlfriend. (PG, 1:26)
‘Beauty and the Bestie’
(Not reviewed)
A policeman seeks help from his former best friend in a case involving a beauty pageant. With Ellen Adarna, Tess Antonio and Jovit Baldivino. In Filipino with English subtitles. (Not rated, 1:59) At Kapolei and Pearlridge West
‘The Big Short’ ****
Angered by the greed of corporations and anticipating the housing bubble, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt set out to make the big banks pay. With Finn Whitrock, Marisa Tomei, Karen Gillan and Melissa Leo. Written by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay, based upon the book by Michael Lewis. Directed by McKay. (R, 2:10)
‘Carol’ ****
Cate Blanchett stars as a married woman who falls in love with young shopgirl Rooney Mara in 1950s New York, where their relationship is tested by societal conventions. With Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler and Jake Lacy. Written by Phyllis Nagy, based on the novel “The Price of Salt” by Patricia Highsmith. Directed by Todd Haynes. (R, 1:58) At Kahala 8
‘Concussion’ **1/2
Will Smith stars as a forensic neuropathologist who discovers the first case of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, and challenges the NFL in his battle to reveal the truth. With Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Morse and Albert Brooks. Written and directed by Peter Landesman, based on the GQ article “Game Brain” by Jeanne Marie Laskas. (PG-13, 2:03)
‘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) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Pearl Highlands Stadium 12
‘Daddy’s Home’ ***
The world of stepdad Will Ferrell is upended when the children’s anarchic biological father, played by Mark Wahlberg, pays a visit. With Linda Cardellini, Thomas Haden Church and Hannibal Buress. Written by Brian Burns, Sean Anders and John Morris. Directed by Anders. (PG-13, 1:36)
‘Danish Girl’ **
Eddie Redmayne stars as an artist who discovers his identity as a woman and becomes a transgender pioneer with the help of his wife and fellow artist in 1920s Copenhagen. With Alicia Vikander, Ben Whishaw, Sebastian Koch, Amber Heard and Matthias Schoenaerts. Written by Lucinda Coxon, based on the book by David Ebershoff. Directed by Tom Hooper. (R, 2:00) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8
‘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)
‘The Hateful Eight’ ***1/2
Shortly after the Civil War, an octet of dangerous strangers convenes at a Wyoming stagecoach stopover during a blizzard in writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s Western. With Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Channing Tatum. (R, 3:02)
‘The Himalayas’
(Not reviewed)
Based on a true story about mountain climber Hong Gil Um’s (Jung Min Hwang) trek up Mount Everest to find a fellow climber. In Korean with English subtitles. (Not rated, 2:04) At Pearlridge West
‘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) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18
‘Joy’ **
Writer-director David O. Russell reunites with stars Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro in this intergenerational story of a young woman who founds a business dynasty based on a cleaning product. With Edgar Ramirez, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen and Isabella Rossellini. Story by Annie Mumolo and Russell. (PG-13, 2:04) At Kahala 8
‘Point Break’ **1/2
Inspired by the 1991 surfer crime movie about an FBI agent infiltrating a gang of extreme athletes who use their feats to pull off elaborate capers. With Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Delroy Lindo and Ray Winstone. Written by Kurt Wimmer; story by Rick King, W. Peter Iliff and Wimmer; based on the 1991 film. Directed by Ericson Core. (PG-13, 1:53)
‘Sisters’ **
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star as out-of-touch siblings who return to clean out their childhood home, which their parents plan to sell. They decide to 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)
‘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
‘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 and Lawrence Kasdan. Directed by Abrams. (PG-13, 2:16)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
‘Best of Rifftrax: Starship Troopers’
7:30 p.m. Thursday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $13
Satire on the 1997 giant bug alien war film. (R, 2:00)
ARTHOUSE
DORIS DUKE THEATRE
Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St. (532-8768, honolulumuseum.org); $10, $8 members
Bollywood Film Festival / The Apu Trilogy
Runs through Feb. 5. $15, $12 for members.
>> ‘Ok Kanmani’
12:30 p.m. today and 7 p.m. Wednesday
Filmmaker Mani Ratnam explores the romantic lives of two Mumbai couples living very different lives. In Tamil with English subtitles. (2015, India, 2:19)
>> ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’
7 p.m. today
A prince about to be crowned king endures a failed assassination attempt that puts him out of commission. While he recovers, a look-alike is put into action and catches the attention of the prince’s fiancee. In Hindi with English subtitles. (2015, India, 2:44)
>> ‘Waiting’
1 p.m. Saturday
Two strangers form a special connection after meeting in a hospital where their partners lie in comas. Together they learn to deal with grief and, in the process, discover a new meaning of life. In Hindi with English subtitles. (2015, India, 1:32)
>> ‘Bajirao Mastani’
7 p.m. Saturday
Historical romance about the 18th-century warrior-turned-peshwa (the equivalent of a prime minister), and both his second and first wives. Stars three of Bollywood’s biggest stars: Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.
>> ‘Margarita, With a Straw’
7:30 p.m. Sunday
Coming-of-age film about a young woman with cerebral palsy who leaves India to pursue studies in New York while enduring a journey of self-discovery. In Hindi with English subtitles. (2014, India, 1:40)
>> ‘Meet the Patels’
7:30 p.m. Tuesday
True romantic comedy about a 30-something Indian-American involved in a “love triangle” with the woman of his dreams and, of all people, his parents. In English and Gujarati with English subtitles. (2014, India, 1:28)
>> ‘Elizabeth Ekadashi’
1 p.m. Wednesday
Two siblings are faced with losing their prized possession — a beloved bicycle named Elizabeth that was handcrafted by their late father — after the bank repossesses their mother’s precious knitting machine. In Marathi with English subtitles. (2014, India, 1:30)
>> ‘Court’
7:30 p.m. Thursday
The trial of an elderly folk singer and grass-roots organizer becomes a ridiculous show of institutional incompetence with many procedural delays and coached witnesses. Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, this film was India’s official selection for the 2015 Academy Awards and a recipient of 29 international awards. In Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati with English subtitles. (2014, India, 1:56)
Opera on Screen: ‘Aida’ on Sydney Harbor
1 p.m. Sunday and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, $20, $18 for members
Radames is chosen to lead Egypt to a battle victory against Ethiopia and, in doing so, hopes to win the heart of Aida, an enslaved Ethiopian princess who is a handmaiden to Princess Amneris, but Amneris also desires Radames and begins to suspect his preference for her slave. In Italian with English subtitles. (2:37)
Movie Museum
3566 Harding Ave. (735-8771); $5, $4 members
>> ‘Pattes Blanches’
11 a.m. and 5 p.m. today
Gothic film presents a compelling story involving a femme fatale, a lonely aristocrat and his bastard brother, a wealthy fish merchant and a hunchback girl. For ages 12 and older. (1949, France, 1:43)
>> ‘Devil in the Flesh’ (‘Le Diable au Corps’)
1 and 7 p.m. today
Newly restored version of this famous and rarely seen World War I romance based on Raymond Radiguet’s novel about an affair between a 16-year-old schoolboy and a woman engaged to a soldier. For ages 12 and older. (1947, France, 1:57)
‘Train Man’ (‘Densha Otoko’)
3 and 9 p.m. today; 11 a.m. and 2:45 and 6:30 p.m. Monday
After a 22-year-old computer geek saves a pretty girl from a creep on a train, she thanks him by sending him an Hermes tea set. Clueless as to how to talk to her, he elicits online advice using the pseudonym “Train-man” and gains enough confidence to ask her out. For ages 12 and older. (2005, Japan, 1:41)
‘Sicario’
11:45 a.m. and 2, 4:15, 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. Saturday
Suspenseful action-adventure flick about an FBI field agent who joins an interagency task force to flush out the kingpin of a Mexican drug cartel. With Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin and Victor Garber. Rated R. (2015, 2:01)
‘The Walk’
11:30 a.m. and 1:45, 4, 6:15 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday
Robert Zemeckis directs this exhilarating film about tightrope walker Philippe Petit, who, on Aug. 4, 1974, walked across a thin wire between the tops of the World Trade Center’s twin towers. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley and Charlotte Le Bon. Rated PG. (2015, 2:03)
‘Poppoya-Railroad Man’
12:45, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Monday
The life of an aging stationmaster, depressed that his train station will be shut down, unexpectedly changes after meeting a young woman with a passion for trains — who also bears an uncanny resemblance to his late daughter. With Ken Takakura. Rated G. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1999, Japan, 1:52)
‘The Martian’
Noon, 4:15 and 6:45 p.m. Thursday
An astronaut-botanist, who is presumed dead after his manned mission to Mars encounters a ferocious storm, finds himself stranded alone with meager supplies and needing to use his ingenuity to contact NASA and survive until he is rescued. With Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig and Jeff Daniels. Directed by Ridley Scott. Rated PG-13. (2015, U.S./U.K., 2:24)
‘The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam’
2:30 and 9:15 p.m. Thursday
An Iranian-American tells his 12-year-old brother the story of their 11th-century ancestor, mathematician and poet Omar Khayyam. For ages 10 and older. (2005, 1:35)
