FirstLight, Maui Film Festival's 12th annual series of holiday film screenings featuring Golden Globe nominees, expected Oscar contenders and other prize winners during the film industry's award season, continues intermittently through Jan. 2 in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater.
In many cases, the films are premieres, showing weeks ahead of their national release dates.
Here are synopses of this week's films, provided by Maui Film Festival. For more information, see the ad on Page 9 or visit www.mauifilmfestival.com.
THURSDAY DEC. 23 (today)
5:30 p.m. - "The Way Back" NR, 2:13.
Colin Farrell, Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess and Saoirse Ronan star in this epic journey across the Himalayas en-route to freedom in India.
8 p.m. - "True Grit" PG-13, 1:57.
See the review on Page 7.
SUNDAY DEC. 26
2 - "Legend of the Guardians - The Owls of Ga'Hoole" PG, 1:30.
An animated fantasy family adventure about two young owls from a mythic band of winged warriors saving all Owlkind from pure evil.
4 p.m. - "Mao's Last Dancer" PG, 1:57.
The inspiring true story of ballet superstar Li Cunxin and his extraordinary journey from poverty in China to international stardom.
6 p.m. - "For Colored Girls" R, 2:14.
A film inspired by the Tony Award-winning play directed by Tyler Perry. Stars Janet Jackson, Thandie Newton, Kerry Washington and more.
8 p.m. - "Somewhere" R, 1:36.
A movie star reawakens to life when his daughter is left in his charge. Sofia Coppola directs. Stars Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning.
MONDAY DEC. 27
4 p.m. - "Winter's Bone" R, 1:40.
Jennifer Lawrence stars, in a career-making performance, as an Ozark Mountain girl trying to keep her family intact against incredible odds.
6 p.m. - "Tiny Furniture" NR, 1:38.
The "Wonderfully Funny" (Paper Magazine), "Hilarious" (Variety), "Unnervingly Honest" (Vanity Fair) award-winning dramedy.
8 p.m. - "The Tempest" PG-13, 1:50.
Shot on Lanai. Director Julie Taymor's adaptation of Shakespeare's play stars Helen Mirren, Russell Brand, Djimon Hounsou and A-List co-stars.
Tuesday DEC. 28
4 p.m. - "Never Let Me Go" R, 1:44.
Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan discover a strange world beyond the sheltered confines of their boarding school.
6 p.m. - "My Dog Tulip" NR, 1:23
"The Best Love Story of the Year" raved Vanity Fair about this deeply moving, beautifully animated tale of a man and the love of his life, his dog.
8 p.m. - "Rabbit Hole" NR, 1:32.
Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart star in this intense, yet poignantly funny, inspirational, family drama. With Dianne Wiest and Sandra Oh.
WEDNESDAY DEC. 29
4 p.m. - "Waste Land" NR, 1:30.
An amazing, not-to-be-missed award winning story of redemption and transformation that passionately thrives in the slums of Rio de Janeiro.
5:30 p.m. - "Biutiful" NR, 2:28.
Named Best Actor at Cannes, Javier Bardem plays a sensitive Barcelona street criminal facing his mortality. Alejandro Gonzlez Irritu directs.
8 p.m. - "Certified Copy" NR, 1:46.
Juliette Binoche, was named Best Actress at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival for her role in this romance set in the mountain villages of Italy.
