Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Sunday, April 28, 2024 72° Today's Paper


Movies CalendarTGIF

Movies: ‘The Conjuring 2,’ ‘Maggie’s Plan,’ ‘Warcraft’

1/3
Swipe or click to see more

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Madison Wolfe stars in the supernatural horror thriller, “The Conjuring 2.”

2/3
Swipe or click to see more

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Scarlett Johansson plays a Hollywood starlet in the 1950s in “Hail, Caesar!”

3/3
Swipe or click to see more

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Warriors of different races clash in the fantasy epic, “Warcraft,” based on the popular video game franchise.

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

OPENING TODAY

“The Conjuring 2” ***

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as demonologists investigating the haunting of a house in north London. With Frances O’Connor. Written by Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes, James Wan and David Leslie Johnson; story by Hayes, Hayes and Wan. Directed by Wan. (R, 2:13)

“Maggie’s Plan” ***1/2

A young New Yorker (Greta Gerwig) falls in love with a married professor (Ethan Hawke), but her plot to be with him goes comically awry. With Julianne Moore, Bill Hader and Maya Rudolph. Written and directed by Rebecca Miller. (R, 1:38) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8

“Now You See Me 2” **

The Four Horsemen return for more magic and tangle with an unethical tech magnate. With Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Dave Franco and Lizzy Caplan. Written by Ed Solomon, story by Solomon and Peter Chiarelli, based on characters created by Boaz Yakin and Edward Ricourt. Directed by Jon M. Chu. (PG-13, 1:55)

“Warcraft” **

Two opposing warriors are on a fateful course that will decide the future of their civilizations. With Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton and Ben Foster. Written by Charles Leavitt and Duncan Jones, based on the video game. Directed by Jones. Imax 3D. (PG-13, 2:03)

NOW PLAYING

“Alice Through the Looking Glass” *1/2

Alice time-travels to save the Mad Hatter. With Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Mia Wasikowska. Written by Linda Woolverton, based on characters created by Lewis Carroll. Directed by James Bobin. (PG, 1:53)

“The Angry Birds Movie” *1/2

Outliers Red, Chuck and Bomb must figure out what’s going on when green piggies arrive on their island. Voices of Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad and Danny McBride. Directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis. (PG, 1:37)

“Captain America: Civil War” ***1/2

Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers aka Captain America to face off against Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man as the Avengers split into feuding factions. With Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow. Written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Imax 3-D. (PG-13, 2:27)

“The Final Master” ****

The Wing-Chun tradition rests with its last adherent, who must battle local officials to fulfill his destiny. With Liao Fan, Song Jia, Jiang Wenli. Written and directed by Xu Haofeng. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (NR, 1:49) At Kahala 8 and Pearlridge West

“The Jungle Book” ***

Director Jon Favreau guides this live-action and CGI version of Rudyard Kipling’s tale, which follows the adventures of Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves. With Neel Sethi and the voices of Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley and Idris Elba. Written by Justin Marks. (PG, 1:46) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18, Kapolei Commons 12 and Ward Stadium with Titan XC

“The Lobster” ***

A man (Colin Farrell) in the near future flees into the woods rather than be turned into an animal because he is single, and illegally falls in love with a fellow rebel (Rachel Weisz). With Lea Seydoux. Written by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou. Directed by Lanthimos. (R, 1:58) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8

“Love & Friendship” ****

Whit Stillman has finally made a full-fledged Jane Austen adaptation, a master class on the art of comic timing, taking the author’s early epistolary novella and infusing it with his own droll, mocking spirit and expert way of looking behind societal facades. (PG, 1:32) At Kahala 8, Kapolei and Ko‘olau Stadium 10

“Love Me Tomorrow”

(Not reviewed)

Coleen Garcia plays a well-known blogger and club promoter who believes she deserves the love of DJ D-JC (Piolo Pascual). With Dawn Zulueta. In Filipino with English subtitles. (PG, 2:01) At Kapolei and Pearlridge West

“Me Before You” **

Romantic drama about a working-class English girl (Emilia Clarke) who becomes the caretaker for a wealthy, young, wheelchair-using banker (Sam Claflin). Written by JoJo Moyes, based on her book. Directed by Thea Sharrock. (PG-13, 1:50)

“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” **

Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Rose Byrne return in this sequel to the 2014 frat-boys-versus-new-parents comedy, this time with a sisterhood as the adversary. Written by Rogen, Nicholas Stoller, Evan Goldberg, Andrew Jay Cohen and Brendan O’Brien. Directed by Stoller. (R, 1:32) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kapolei Commons 12

“The Nice Guys” **1/2

Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling team up as a muscle-for-hire and a private eye in this 1970s-set action comedy. With Angourie Rice. Written by Shane Black and Anthony Bagarozzi. Directed by Black. (R, 1:56) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

“Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” ***1/2

Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone (who compose the comedy troupe The Lonely Island) wrote and star in this comedy about a rapper enduring a colossal sophomore slump. Co-directed by Schaffer and Taccone. (R, 1:26)

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” *

The return of the pizza-eating, martial-arts-infused, adolescent reptiles. With Megan Fox, Will Arnett and Laura Linney. Written by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec, based on characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. Directed by Dave Green. (PG-13, 1:52)

“Three Wise Cousins”

(Not reviewed)

Rom-com starring Neil Amituanai, who plays Adam, a New Zealand-born Samoan who falls for a girl who likes only “real island guys.” To win her over, Adam travels to Samoa and asks his cousins (Vito Vito and Fesuiai Viliamu) for help. (PG-13,1:29) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Pearl Highlands Stadium 12

“The Wailing (Goksung)”

(Not reviewed)

A string of savage murders in a small village occurs following the arrival of a newcomer, creating an environment of fear. With Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee and Kwak Do-wo. Written and directed by Hong-jin Na. In Korean with English subtitles. (NR, 2:36) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Pearlridge West

“X-Men: Apocalypse” **

The original mutant awakens after thousands of years, and he is not happy, triggering a battle for a new world order. With James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence. Written by Simon Kinberg. Directed by Bryan Singer. (PG-13, 2:24)

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

“Ghostbusters”

2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $13 (PG, 2:05)

Watch the original 1984 flick starring Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Rick Moranis, Bill Murray, Annie Potts, the late Harold Ramis and Sigourney Weaver. The new version, featuring Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Kristen Wiig, opens July 15.

“Motley Crue: The End”

7 p.m. Tuesday, Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $16 (NR, 2:20)

Footage from the rock group’s final show held on New Year’s Eve 2015 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Also includes behind-the-scenes interviews and a look at the last week the band toured together.

“The Princess Bride”

7 and 10 p.m. Wednesday, Ward Stadium with Titan XC, $10 (PG, 1:38)

Revival of the rom-com starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin and Robin Wright, which had people repeating the phrase “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.” The 1987 film about a grandfather reading a fairy tale titled “The Princess Bride” to his sick grandson was directed by Rob Reiner.

Art and Architecture in Cinema: “Teatro Alla Scala: The Temple of Wonders”

7 p.m. Thursday, Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $16 (NR, 1:40)

The sixth installment in the AAIC series takes viewers into the historical Milan opera house, in operation since 1778, with rare archival footage and interviews with major figures in the international art and music scene, including some of the world’s finest singers.

ARTHOUSE

DORIS DUKE THEATRE

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

Cinematheque Francaise Film Festival 2016

Through June 26.

“My Internship in Canada”

1 and 7:30 p.m. Friday

This quirky political satire is set in rural Quebec, where an unsuspecting member of Parliament lands in the national spotlight when he learns his vote ultimately decides whether Canada goes to war. In French with English subtitles. (2015, Canada, 1:48)

“New Faces of Animation”

11 a.m. Saturday

This collection of shorts, selected by the Cultural Services Department of the French Embassy in Canada and the U.S., contains explicit imagery and is not suitable for children. In French with English subtitles. (2016, France, 1:19)

• Films include “Alison,” “Yul and the Snake,” “Tigers Tied Up in One Rope,” “Sunday Lunch,” “A Slice of the Country,” “Rhizome,” “My Home” and “In Deep Waters.”

“April and the Extraordinary World”

1 p.m. Sunday

This sci-fi animation set in Paris during 1941 is about a family of scientists on the brink of discovering a longevity serum who are suddenly abducted by a mysterious force. Fast-forward 10 years, and the sole young daughter who was left behind secretly carries on her family’s research while continuing her quest to discover the truth about their disappearance. In French with English subtitles. (2015, France, 1:46)

“Lolo”

4 p.m. Sunday

While vacationing in the south of France, a chic Parisian falls for a computer geek who eagerly joins his beloved in Paris, but a third party — the woman’s possessive 19-year-old son — is determined to do whatever it takes to get rid of his mother’s new lover. In French with English subtitles. (2015, France, 1:39)

“Microbe et Gasoil”

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

Two offbeat teens create a “car” using a lawn mower engine and wooden planks and go on an adventure exploring the roads of France. In French with English subtitles. (2015, France, 1:45)

Screens with:

>> “One, Two, Three”

A tree maneuvers its way into a pair of boots and goes for a walk, inviting everyone to follow as they skip and dance happily along the way. (2015, France/Switzerland, 0:06)

“King Georges”

7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Erika Frankel’s documentary follows restaurateur Georges Perrier, whose Le Bec-Fin and old-school French cuisine were a Philadelphia highlight for 40 years. In 2010 his plans to sell prompted Frankel to document his origins in Lyon and his path to becoming one of America’s most important restaurant owners. (2016, France, 1:20)

“Francofonia”

7:30 p.m. Thursday

Director Alexander Sokurov focuses on the fabled Louvre and applies his unique vision by staging re-enactments and using archives to present a portrait of two real-life characters (enemies-turned-collaborators) who form an alliance solely responsible for preserving the museum’s treasures. In English, German, Russian and French with English subtitles. (2015, France/Germany/Netherlands, 1:30)

MOVIE MUSEUM

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

“Salut Cousin!”

Noon, 4 and 8 p.m. today

A man arrives in Paris and panics when he loses the address of a location where he was sent to pick up merchandise to bring back to Algeria. He stays with his musician cousin in a shabby neighborhood and is transformed by the city life in Paris. For ages 15 and older. In French and Arabic with English subtitles. (1996, France/Algeria/Belgium/Luxembourg, 1:40)

“A Swedish Love Story”

2 and 6 p.m. today; 11 a.m. and 2:45 and 6:45 p.m. Monday

Despite being surrounded by a world of adult misery, two teens fall in love and carry on a courtship while being oblivious to the world around them. In Swedish with English subtitles. (1970, Sweden, 1:55)

“Hail, Caesar!”

11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday

This satire set in the 1950s follows the life of Eddie Mannix, a fixer who must promote a wholesome image of Hollywood glamour while keeping the scandalous behavior of his studio’s stars out of the limelight. With Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Ralph Fiennes and Scarlett Johansson. Rated PG-13. (2016, U.K./U.S./Japan, 1:46)

“Love Letter”

7 p.m. Saturday

A woman who has been mourning the death of her fiance for two years sends a letter to an address she finds in his high school yearbook and is surprised when she receives a reply from a woman with the same name as him. For ages 10 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1995, Japan, 1:57)

“Zootopia”

11:45 a.m. and 3:15, 5:15 and 9 p.m. Sunday

Animation about a female rabbit who graduates at the top of her police class and joins the police force in the city of Zootopia where fellow officers are rhinoceroses, tigers and big tough animals, and the fearless buffalo chief assigns her to parking duty. Voices by Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Tommy Chong and Shakira. Rated PG. (2016, 1:48)

“Meet the Patels”

1:45 and 7:15 p.m. Sunday

In his quest for a mate, an Indian-American man allows his parents to choose a bride for him while his sister films the process in this home movie-turned-documentary. Rated PG. (2014, 1:28)

“A Perfect Plan” (“Un plan parfait”)

1, 4:45 and 8:45 p.m. Monday

Isabelle is ecstatic when the love of her life proposes to her but is overcome with anxiety due to the simple fact that every first marriage in her family was doomed while the second proved golden. Her plan: marry a random stranger before marrying “the one.” In French with English subtitles. (2012, France, 1:41)

“East Side Sushi”

11 a.m. and 3 and 7 p.m. Thursday

A single mother decides to quit her job working at her father’s fruit cart and become a sushi chef in Oakland, Calif., where she must face obstacles such as bigotry, sexism and having to lift 50-pound bags of rice to prove her new culinary skills. Rated PG. (2014, 1:46)

“Wood Job!”

1, 5 and 9 p.m. Thursday

A man who is dumped by his girlfriend and fails his university entrance exams enrolls in a forestry training program because of the pretty girl on the pamphlet’s cover, which changes his view of the world, despite the tough training and knowing that the cover girl disdains him. For ages 12 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (2014, Japan, 1:56)

MONDAY DINNER THEATER

6:30 p.m. Monday, Cafe Julia, 1040 Richards St., $5 (film screening only). Dinner reservations (arrive at 5:15 p.m.): 436-4326.

“Shanghai Exodus”

Greg Andermann directed this film featuring stories of Caucasians who migrated to Shanghai for safety during the first half of the 20th century after the Communist revolution and rise of Nazi Germany. A Q&A session with Andermann will follow the screening. (2009, 2:02)

HAWAII WOMEN IN FILMMAKING

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, 3167 Waialae Ave., free. A discussion with director Miho Aida and a book signing will follow. Aida is one of 25 authors of the book “We Are the Arctic.”

“The Sacred Place Where Life Begins: Gwich’in Women Speak”

Award-winning short film explores the relationship between Gwich’in women, Alaskan native people living in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and the Porcupine caribou herd that supports their subsistence lifestyle and culture. Directed by Miho Aida. (2013, 0:20)

Leave a Reply