MOVIES

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

OPENING FRIDAY

‘The 9th Life of Louis Drax’ *

A famed neurologist investigates a 9-year-old boy’s ability to survive near-fatal accidents. With Jamie Dornan, Sarah Gadon, Aaron Paul, Aiden Longworth, Molly Parker, Barbara Hershey and Oliver Platt. Written by Max Minghella, based on the novel by Liz Jensen. Directed by Alexandre Aja. (R, 1:48) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV’

(Not reviewed)

Computer-animated science-fiction film based on the video game. With Aaron Paul, Lena Headey, Sean Bean. Written by Takashi Hasegawa. Directed by Takeshi Nozue. (PG-13, 1:50) At Pearlridge West

‘The Light Between Oceans’ **1/2

An Australian veteran of World War I (Michael Fassbender) keeps a lighthouse on a remote island with his wife (Alicia Vikander). After an infant girl enters their lives, their choices provoke unintended consequences. With Rachel Weisz. Written and directed by Derek Cianfrance, based on the novel by M.L. Stedman. (PG-13, 2:12)

‘Morgan’ **

A horrifying accident at a remote, top-secret location requires a corporate troubleshooter to investigate in this science-fiction thriller. With Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Toby Jones, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Paul Giamatti. Written by Seth Owen. Directed by Luke Scott. (R, 1:27)

NOW PLAYING

‘Bad Moms’ **

Overworked and stressed out, a trio of mothers sets out to free themselves from straitjacketed upright behavior. With Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn and Christina Applegate. Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. (R, 1:41)

‘Ben-Hur’ **

Forced into slavery, a prince (Jack Huston) seeking revenge fights his way back. With Toby Kebbell and Rodrigo Santoro. Written by Keith R. Clarke and John Ridley, based on the novel by Lew Wallace. Directed by Timor Bekmambetov (PG-13, 2:03)

‘Don’t Breathe’ ***1/2

A trio of Detroit teens (Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette and Daniel Zovatto) targets the home of a blind war veteran (Stephen Lang) for an easy burglary, but have no idea of the horror that awaits. Written by Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues, directed by Alvarez. (R, 1:28)

‘Equity’

(No star rating)

A female investment banker (Anna Gunn) guides a client’s high-stakes IPO while dealing with the internal politics of her own firm. With James Purefoy and Sarah Megan Thomas. Written by Amy Fox. Directed by Meera Menon. (R, 1:40) At Kahala 8

‘Finding Dory’ ***1/2

Nemo, Marlin and the forgetful blue tang must cross an ocean to find her family in this sequel to “Finding Nemo.” Voices of Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks. Directed by Andrew Stanton; co-director Angus MacLane. Imax 3-D. (PG-13, 1:43)

‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ *

Meryl Streep stars as a New York socialite in the 1940s who pursues her dream of being a great singer — despite possessing a terrible voice. With Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg. Written by Nicholas Martin. Directed by Stephen Frears. (PG-13, 1:50) At Kahala 8

‘Ghostbusters’ ***

Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones have chemistry to burn as the new generation of paranormal investigators out to save the world from supernatural baddies. Written by Paul Feig and Katie Dippold. Based on the 1984 film written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Directed by Feig. Imax 3-D. (PG-13, 1:56) At Pearlridge West and Koko Marina

‘Hands of Stone’ **

Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran (Edgar Ramirez) soars to stardom when he defeats Sugar Ray Leonard (Usher Raymond) in 1980, only to be toppled in the rematch when he infamously says, “No mas.” With Robert De Niro. Written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz. (R, 1:45)

‘Hell or High Water’

(No star rating)

As vengeance for a foreclosure, two brothers (Chris Pine, Ben Foster) rob branches of the offending bank until they cross paths with a no-nonsense Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges). Written by Taylor Sheridan. Directed by David Mackenzie (R, 1:42) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8

‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ ***

In this comedy with serious undertones, written and directed by Taika Waititi (“What We Do in the Shadows”), a rebellious Maori city kid gets a second chance with a family in the New Zealand countryside, but circumstances send him and his foster father on the run. With Sam Neill, Julian Dennison and Rachel House. Based on a book by Barry Crump. (PG-13, 1:41) At Kahala 8

‘Ice Age: Collision Course’ *

Scrat’s back chasing that acorn, and sets off a chain of cosmic events that threatens the world he and his friends know. Voices by Ray Romano, John Leguizamo and Denis Leary. Directed by Michael Thurmeier and Galen Chu. (PG, 1:34)

‘Jason Bourne’ **1/2

Matt Damon steps back into the role of the rogue CIA agent for this fifth installment. With Julia Stiles and Alicia Vikander. Written by Paul Greengrass and Christopher Rouse. Inspired by the “Bourne” series of books created by Robert Ludlum. Directed by Greengrass. (PG-13, 2:03) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Ward Stadium with Titan XC

‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ ****

Animated Japanese fantasy about a boy, his magical instrument and the enchanted creatures who aid him as he attempts to heal a long-ago rift and reunite his family. Voices of Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron. Written by Marc Haimes and Chris Butler. Directed by Travis Knight. (PG, 1:41)

‘Mechanic: Resurrection’

(Not reviewed)

Sequel to the 2011 action thriller finds Bishop tasked with assassinating the most dangerous men in the world. With Jason Statham, Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones. Written by Philip Shelby and Tony Mosher, story by Shelby, based on characters created by Lewis John Carlino. Directed by Dennis Gansel. (R, 1:39)

‘Nerve’ ***

A high school student reluctantly joins a popular online game and becomes trapped in an escalating series of dangerous actions. With Emma Roberts, Dave Franco and Emily Meade. Written by Jessica Sharzer. Based on the novel by Jeanne Ryan. Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman. (PG-13, 1:36)

‘Operation Chromite’

(Not reviewed)

Liam Neeson plays Gen. Douglas MacArthur in this story about the Battle of Incheon, which was the turning point of the Korean War. With Jung-jae Lee and Bum-soo Lee. Directed by John Lee. (NR, 1:55) At Pearlridge West

‘Our Little Sister’

(No star rating)

When their long-absent father dies, three adult Japanese sisters take in their 13-year-old half sister. With Haruka Ayase, Masami Nagasawa, Kaho and Suzu Hirose. Written and directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. In Japanese with English subtitles. (PG, 2:06) At Kahala 8

‘Pete’s Dragon’ ***

A skeptical forest ranger (Bryce Dallas Howard) in the Pacific Northwest meets a young boy (Oakes Fegley) who claims to be friends with a large-winged reptile in this reimagining of the 1977 film. With Wes Bentley. Written by David Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. Based on a screenplay by Malcolm Marmorstein. Directed by Lowery. (PG, 1:43)

‘Sausage Party’ **1/2

A supermarket meat byproduct leads other foodstuffs on an existential quest in this R-rated animated comedy. Voices of Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig and Jonah Hill. Written by Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir; story by Rogen, Goldberg and Hill. Directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiern. (R, 1:29)

‘The Secret Life of Pets’ ***

An animated comedy about what our dogs and cats do while we’re at work or school. Voices of Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet and Kevin Hart. Written by Brian Lynch, Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. Directed by Chris Renaud; co-director Yarrow Cheney. (PG, 1:30)

‘Southside with You’ ***

On a summer day in 1989, young legal associate Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers) courts attorney Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter) on their first date. With Vanessa Bell Calloway. Written and directed by Richard Tanne. (PG-13, 1:24)

‘Star Trek Beyond’ ***

The crew of the Enterprise travels to deepest space and is challenged by an inscrutable new foe. With Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Idris Elba. Written by Simon Pegg, Doug Jung, Roberto Orci, John D. Payne and Patrick McKay. Directed by Justin Lin. Imax 3-D. (PG-13, 2:02)

‘Suicide Squad’ *1/2

The best of the worst in villainy are recruited by the government to take on an unstoppable enemy. With Will Smith, Jared Leto and Margot Robbie. Written and directed by David Ayer. Based on characters from DC Comics. Imax 3-D. (PG-13, 2:10)

‘War Dogs’ *1/2

Two 20-something Miami friends (Jonah Hill, Miles Teller) exploit a loophole and land a $300 million defense contract to arm the Afghan military. With Ana de Armas and Bradley Cooper. Written by Stephen Chin, Todd Phillips and Jason Smilovic. Based on a Rolling Stone magazine article by Guy Lawson. Directed by Phillips. (R, 1:54)

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Shakespeare’s Globe: ‘The Merchant of Venice’

2 p.m. Wednesday at Kahala 8, $20

Jonathan Munby directs with Jonathan Pryce, Stefan Adegbola, Michael Bertenshaw, Philip Cox and Phoebe Pryce starring in a tale of greed and love. (NR, 2:45)

‘One More Time with Feeling’

9 p.m. Thursday at Kahala 8, $20

Director Andrew Dominik delves into the backdrop of the writing and recording of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album of the same name, in the wake of Cave’s son’s accidental death. Interspersed throughout the group’s performance are interviews and other footage of the band. (R, 1:15)

ARTHOUSE

DORIS DUKE THEATRE

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

‘Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse’

1 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Explore how the works of Monet and Matisse have influenced today’s modern gardens through expressive motifs, abstract colors and decorative designs. (2016, U.K., 1:33)

‘The Smog of the Sea’

7:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a panel discussion on plastic ocean pollution and solutions with Marcus Eriksen of the 5 Gyres Institute, musician Jack Johnson, filmmaker Ian Cheney, Aaron Padilla of the Honolulu Museum of Art, and members of the SEA Change research expedition. Free; RSVP required, visit 808ne.ws/2bZRL5v (event sold out).

World premiere of a documentary that provides a new perspective on marine pollution, with footage captured during a one-week expedition across the Sargasso Sea with a team that consisted of marine scientist Marcus Eriksen, surfers Keith and Dan Malloy, musician Jack Johnson, spearfisher Kimi Werner and bodysurfer Mark Cunningham.

KOREAN CINEMA 2016

Through Sept. 17.

>> ‘The Himalayas’

4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Tuesday

A renowned mountaineer sets off on a mission to retrieve the bodies of fellow Korean climbers killed when a huge avalanche struck Mount Everest in 2004. Based on a true story. In Korean with English subtitles. (2015, South Korea, 2:05)

>> ‘Train to Busan’

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

This action-packed zombie horror film set aboard a South Korean bullet train finds a father trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter by taking a trip to visit her mother, only to learn they’ll be fighting for survival instead. In Korean with English subtitles. (2016, South Korea, 1:58)

>> ‘Spirits’ Homecoming’

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

Two teenage girls are kidnapped and forced into sex slavery by invading soldiers during the Japanese occupation of Korea during World War II. After enduring constant brutal sex assaults and beatings, they attempt to escape, but only one survives. Decades later she aims to reunite with her lost friend’s spirit. In Korean with English subtitles. (2016, South Korea, 2:07)

>> ‘Like for Likes’

4 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. Wednesday

Three couples in Seoul explore their romantic attachments through social media: a chef who bickers with the new landlady with whom he is forced to live; a hot young TV star who still longs for his former lover, an older and established screenwriter who may have had his son years ago; and a songwriter who falls for a sexy dream-girl TV producer while trying to keep secret the fact that he is deaf. In Korean with English subtitles. (2016, South Korea, 2:00)

>> ‘Dongju: Portrait of a Poet’

7:30 p.m. Sunday

A young poet ventures into writing about life’s harsh realities during the Japanese occupation during World War II, upsetting the Japanese government, which eventually detains and abuses him. In Korean with English subtitles. (2016, South Korea, 1:50)

>> ‘The Wailing’

7:30 p.m. Wednesday

This gripping supernatural horror film revolves around the investigation of a double murder in a rural village in which a police sergeant targets a mysterious Japanese man who, based on his appearance, stirs up suspicion among the locals. The situation quickly escalates to mass hysteria, with townsfolk brutally killing each other for no apparent reason. In Korean with English subtitles. (2016, South Korea, 2:36)

‘One More Time With Feeling’

9 p.m. Thursday, with a tribute to Nick Cave by DJ Nocturna and Lana Saldania, a reading of short poems and sharing of personal stories by attendees.

This is the public’s first opportunity to hear the 16th studio album from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, “Skeleton Tree,” as this film screens across the world prior to the next-day release of the band’s album. Includes a filmed performance, interviews and footage, filmed in both color and black and white as it highlights the band’s first release in three years while exploring the accidental death of Cave’s teenage son in 2015. (2016, U.K., 1:25)

MOVIE MUSEUM

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

‘Me Before You’

11 a.m. and 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Friday

A woman loses her job at a tea shop and becomes caretaker to a wealthy young man, a former London hotshot who was paralyzed from the neck down in a motorcycle accident. Winner of the Truly Moving Picture Award at the Heartland Film Festival. Rated PG-13. (2016, U.K./U.S., 1:50)

‘Sunset Song’

1 and 7:30 p.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m. and 2, 6:15 and 8:45 p.m. Sunday

Adaptation of Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s coming-of-age story set in the early 1900s about a farm girl in northeastern Scotland who endures the hard labor of working on a farm while surrounded by a beautiful land that captures her soul. (2015, U.K./Luxembourg, 2:15)

‘The Jungle Book’

11:30 a.m. and 3:15, 5:15 and 9 p.m. Saturday

Disney’s live-action remake of Rudyard Kipling’s story about man-cub Mowgli’s jungle and his friends, the lazy bear Baloo and elegant panther Bagheera, along with their enemies looking for trouble. Voices by Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson and Christopher Walken. (2016, U.K./U.S., 1:46)

‘The Face of Jizo’ (‘Chichi to kuraseba’)

1:30 and 7:15 p.m. Saturday

Adaptation of Hisashi Inoue’s play about a beautiful young librarian who is visited by her father’s ghost encourages her to embrace life and forgo her feelings of guilt after surviving the bombing of Hiroshima. For ages 12 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (2004, Japan, 1:39)

‘Castle Under Fiery Skies’ (‘Katen no shiro’)

11:30 a.m. and 3:45 and 6:15 p.m. Monday

In 1576 a great warlord visits a humble country carpenter and asks him to build a five-story castle that would take up all of Mount Azuchi — a task that many would deem impossible. For ages 10 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (2009, Japan, 2:20)

‘Love Under the Crucifix’ (‘Ogin-sama’)

2 and 8:45 p.m. Monday

Tragic romance about the adopted daughter of a great tea master who falls in love with a tea devotee, a married Christian lord named Ukon. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1962, Japan, 1:41)

‘Basara the Princess Goh’ (‘Go-hime’)

11:15 a.m. and 3 and 8:45 p.m. Thursday

After a tea master is forced to commit suicide by a powerful warlord, a pottery artist chosen as the successor deals with his uneasiness by teaching pottery to Princess Goh, the warlord’s adopted daughter. For ages 12 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1992, Japan, 2:22)

‘The Sicilian Clan’ (‘Le clan des Siciliens’)

1:45 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday

A career criminal escapes from jail with the help of a Sicilian mobster; together they collaborate on a heist that attracts the attention of an inspector. For ages 12 and older. In Italian and French with English subtitles. (1969, France, 2:02)