Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 78° Today's Paper


Movies CalendarTGIF

Movies: ‘Blair Witch,’ ‘Bridget Jones’s Baby,’ ‘Hillsong — Let Hope Rise’

1/4
Swipe or click to see more

MARVEL

Tom Holland joins the fight as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in “Captain America: Civil War.”

2/4
Swipe or click to see more

OPEN ROAD FILMS

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley star in “Snowden.”

3/4
Swipe or click to see more

LIONSGATE

Callie Hernandez is a college student searching for her friend’s sister in “Blair Witch.”

4/4
Swipe or click to see more

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Renee Zellweger returns to the role that made her famous in “Bridget Jones’s Baby.”

OPENING FRIDAY

‘Blair Witch’ Zero stars

College students searching for their friend’s missing sister in Maryland’s Black Hills Forest experience the terror of the region’s legend. With James Allen McCune, Callie Hernandez and Brandon Scott. Written by Simon Barrett. Directed by Adam Wingard. (R, 1:29)

‘Bridget Jones’s Baby’ ***

Renee Zellweger returns for her third outing as Britain’s most famous singleton, who finds herself alone, pregnant and unsure of the father’s identity. With Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones and Emma Thompson. Written by Helen Fielding and Thompson and Dan Mazer, based on the characters and story created by Fielding. Directed by Sharon Maguire. (R, 2:02)

‘Hillsong — Let Hope Rise’

(Not reviewed)

The hugely popular Australian Christian band plays stadium shows and spreads the mission of its namesake church around the world in this documentary. Directed by Michael John Warren. (PG, 1:43) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18, Kapolei 16 and Pearl Highlands Stadium 12

‘Mr. Church’

(Not reviewed)

An ailing mother with a young daughter hires a man to be their cook, and a strong bond forms. With Eddie Murphy, Britt Robertson, Natascha McElhone. Written by Susan McMartin. Directed by Bruce Beresford. (PG-13, 1:44) At Kapolei 16 and Kahala 8

‘Snowden’ **

Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Edward Snowden, the former CIA operative who was hailed as both a hero and traitor to the U.S. for leaking illegal surveillance activities by the National Security Agency. With Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson. Written by Kieran Fitzgerald, Oliver Stone. Directed by Stone. (R, 2:14)

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) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘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) At Kapolei 16

‘The Disappointments Room’ *

A secret chamber in a formerly stately Southern mansion with a horrific past tests a family from Brooklyn looking to start over. With Kate Beckinsale, Mel Raido, Gerald McRaney and Lucas Till. Written by Wentworth Miller and D.J. Caruso. Directed by Caruso. (R, 1:40)

‘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)

‘Hell or High Water’ ****

As vengeance for a foreclosure, two brothers (Chris Pine and 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, Kahala 8 and Ko‘olau Stadium 10

‘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

‘The Innocents’ ***1/2

Anne Fontaine’s post-World War II drama involving a Polish convent and a French female doctor (Lou de Laage) who risks her own safety to help nuns who were raped by Soviet soldiers proves again that although moral and spiritual questions may not sound spellbinding, they often provide the most absorbing movie experiences. In French and Polish with English subtitles. (NR, 1:55) At Kahala 8

‘Jason Bourne’ **1/2

Matt Damon steps back into the role of a 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

‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ ****

Animated Japanese fantasy about a boy, his magical instrument and the enchanted creatures who help him 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)

‘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) At Kahala 8

‘Mechanic: Resurrection’ *1/2

The sequel to the 2011 action thriller finds Bishop tasked with assassinating the most dangerous men in the world. With Jason Statham, Jessica Alba and 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)

‘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) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘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) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘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)

‘Sully’ ***1/2

Tom Hanks stars as Capt. Chesley Sullenberger, the U.S. Airways pilot who safely landed a jet carrying 155 passengers on the Hudson River in 2009 but faced an investigation that questioned his judgment and threatened his career. With Aaron Eckhart and Laura Linney. Written by Todd Komarnicki, based on the book “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters” by Sullenberger. Directed by Clint Eastwood. (PG-13, 1:36)

‘War Dogs’ *1/2

Two 20-something Miami friends (Jonah Hill and 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) At Windward Stadium 10

‘When the Bough Breaks’ *

The young woman an upscale couple hires to be their surrogate develops a dangerous obsession with the husband. With Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall and Jaz Sinclair. Written by Jack Olsen. Directed by Jon Cassar. (PG-13, 1:47)

‘The Wild Life’ **

Robinson Crusoe lands on a tropical island in this animated adventure pitting him and his animal friends against two savage cats. Written by Lee Christopher, Domonic Paris and Graham Welldon. Directed by Vincent Kesteloot. (PG, 1:30)

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

College football

4:45 p.m. Saturday at Kapolei 16, Koko Marina and Ko‘olau Stadium 10, $12

University of Hawaii Warriors vs. Arizona State Wildcats at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.

Turner Classic Movies presents ‘Dr. Strangelove’

2 and 7 p.m. Sunday ($13) and Wednesday ($9) at Dole Cannery Stadium 18

Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1964 satire about the Cold War. Stars Peter Sellers, George C. Scott and James Earl Jones. (PG, 1:45)

‘David Bowie Is’

7 p.m. Monday at Kahala 8, $12

Documentary tour of the performer’s museum exhibit in London featuring handwritten lyrics, original costumes, photos, music video and more. (NR, 1:40)

‘To Joey, With Love’

7 p.m. Tuesday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $13

The 2010 Academy of Country Music Top New Vocal Duo, Joey+Rory, stepped out of the limelight to prepare for the birth of their first child, Indiana, and to simplify their lives. The film takes viewers into the couple’s home and looks at the struggles and love the two encountered when their daughter was born with Down Syndrome and Joey struggled with cervical cancer. Joey Feek died on March 4. (PG, 1:30)

Shakespeare’s Globe: ‘Richard II’

7 p.m. Tuesday and 2 p.m. Wednesday at Kahala 8, $20

The classic tale stars Charles Edwards as King Richard with Simon Godwin directing and Stephen Warbeck composing. (NR, 2:28)

ARTHOUSE

Limited-release synopses of films showing at local venues and festivals

DORIS DUKE THEATRE

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

>> Family Film Sunday: “The Iron Giant”

11:10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, free.

A young boy befriends a gigantic robot from outer space that is targeted to be destroyed by a paranoid government agent. With voices by Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston and Harry Connick Jr. (1999, 1:27)

Korean Cinema 2016

Ends Saturday.

>> “Like for Likes”

1 p.m. Friday

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)

>> “Train to Busan”

7:30 p.m. Friday

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)

>> “The Wailing”

1 p.m. Saturday

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, because of 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)

MOVIE MUSEUM

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

“Pale Moon” (“Kami no Tsuki”)

Noon, 4 and 8 p.m. Friday; and noon, 4:30 and 9 p.m. Monday

A bank employee living a bland life with a neglectful husband who is often away on business must scrimp to make a living until one day she “borrows” cash from a client’s deposit. For ages 12 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (2014, Japan, 2:06)

“Love Under the Crucifix” (“Ogin-sama”)

2:15 and 6:15 p.m. Friday

This tragic romance has the adopted daughter of a great tea master fall in love with a tea devotee, a married Christian lord named Ukon. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1962, Japan, 1:41)

“Captain America: Civil War”

11 a.m., and 1:30, 4, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday

The United Nations wants to control the actions of the Avengers as they set out to save the world. Ironman is on board but Captain America is against it, pitting all of them to take sides and declare a civil war. With Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie and Don Cheadle. Rated PG-13. (2016, U.S./Germany, 2:27)

“Money Monster”

Noon, 1:45, 3:30, 5:15, 7 and 8:45 p.m. Sunday

Showboating TV personality Lee Gates and his producer are in the middle of a broadcast when an irate investor storms in and forces Lee to wear a suicide bomber’s vest. While the camera is rolling, he must either talk his way out of the situation or side with his captor in searching for justice. With George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O’Connell and Dominic West. Rated R. (2016, 1:38)

“The Sicilian Clan” (“Le Clan des Siciliens”)

2:15 and 6:45 p.m. Monday

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)

“Knightly Advice” (“Tenka no Goiken Ban”)

Noon, 3:15 and 7 p.m. Thursday

Based on a true incident that occurred on Jan. 2, 1629, a rivalry between daimyos (who own castles) and the knights (employees of the shogun) is set off after an incident in which Daimyo Inaba shows disrespect to Sir Samezu and a tussle ensues. For ages 12 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1962, Japan, 1:32)

“Princess Sen and Hideyori” (“Sen-hime to Hideyori”)

1:45, 5 and 8:45 p.m. Thursday

Princess Sen is arranged to be married into the Toyotomi clan in order to create an alliance between the clans, but the bond is short-lived as the castle is attacked and the princess becomes caught in the middle. For ages 12 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1962, Japan, 1:25)

MONDAY DINNER THEATER

7 p.m. Monday, Cafe Julia, YWCA, 1040 Richards St., $5 (film screening only, arrive at 6:45 p.m.). Dinner reservations (arrive at 5:15 p.m.): 436-4326.

“Hula Girls”

During hard times, a coal-mining town tries to transform itself into a major attraction for hula. A professional dancer is brought in to form a hula troupe but her arrival stirs up uncomfortable realities about class and expectations among the townsfolk. Based on a true story. Directed by Sang-il Lee, with a soundtrack by Jake Shimabukuro. In Japanese with English subtitles. (2006, Japan, 1:48)

Leave a Reply