These are Maui Scene Editor Rick Chatenever's mini-reviews, excerpts of wire service reviews and previews provided by studios and other sources.
*****
Opening Friday
Article Photos
Matt Damon plays a politician who gets a visit from John Slattery of “The Adjustment Bureau”
Universal Pictures photo via AP
"The Adjustment Bureau" PG-13, 2:01, Kaahumanu 6 and Front Street Theaters.
Matt Damon stars in this romantic political thriller adapted from a Philip K. Dick story. He plays a charismatic senatorial candidate who encounters the ballerina of his dreams (Emily Blunt), before finding himself pursued by a political team trying to keep them apart. George Nolfi directs and co-writes, pitting political forces against fate and love in a chase across modern Manhattan. Lisa Thoreson co-stars with Jon Stewart and Chuck Scarborough playing themselves.
"Beastly" PG-13, 1:35, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Fact Box
It's Showtime
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Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens and Mary Kate Olsen star in this fantasy romance that re-imagines "Beauty and the Beast." In this version, a young New York teen is turned into someone more hideous in a test of true love. Daniel Barnz writes and directs.
"Take Me Home Tonight" R, 1:53, Maui Mall Megaplex and Front Street Theaters.
Topher Grace and Anna Faris play brainy but underachieving twins, heading the cast in this homage to John Hughes comedies of the '80s. The slightly raunchy but mostly good-hearted romp takes place a a wild Labor Day weekend party where silly things happen. Dan Fogler, Teresa Palmer, Chris Pratt, Michael Biehn and Michelle Trachtenberg co-star; Michael Dowse directs.
*****
Still playing
"Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son" PG-13, 2:02, Kaahumanu 6; ends tonight at Lahaina Wharf Cinemas.
Martin Lawrence once again puts that red dress on -that very large red dress -reprising the role of FBI agent Malcolm Turner. This time he's got his stepson, Trent (Brandon T. Jackson), with him as they go into drag and into hiding in an all-girls performing arts school after Trent witnesses a murder. Jessica Lucas, Michelle Ang and Portia Doubleday co-star; John Whitesell directs.
"Drive Angry" R, 2:00, (3-D), Maui Mall Megaplex and Lahaina Wharf Cinemas.
Nicolas Cage plays a grandpa with attitude in this action-thriller that mixes and matches muscle-car chases and stunts with supernatural cultism in an adrenalized thrill ride that doesn't take itself too seriously. Cage plays a mysterious stranger looking for vengeance against the satanic cult that killed his daughter and kidnapped his granddaughter. Amber Heard rides shotgun with William Fichtner as a mysterious "Accountant" on their tail. Patrick Lussier directs.
"The Eagle" PG-13, 1:54, ends tonight at Kaahumanu 6.
Channing Tatum plays a young Roman centurion in 140 A.D. in this bit of ancient action. Traveling across Hadrian's wall accompanied only by his faithful slave (Jamie Bell), he seeks to solve the mystery of a legion that disappeared 20 years earlier, and restore the reputation of his father (Donald Sutherland). But first he must deal with all those savage tribes in the highlands of Caledonia and retrieve the eagle emblem of the lost legion. Kevin Macdonald directs.
"Gnomeo & Juliet" G, 1:39, Maui Mall Megaplex (3-D and 2-D); ends tonight at Front Street Theaters.
Taking its cues - not to mention various plot devices, characters and lines from Shakespeare -this animated comedy avoids any sign of tragedy as it updates the Bard's most famous love story. The hero is a broken gnome (voiced by James McAvoy) glued back together who finds the love of his life (voiced by Emily Blunt). Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Jason Statham and Ozzie Osbourne add voices to the mix with producer Elton John providing the music. Kelly Asbury directs, sharing the writing credit with the Bard.
"Hall Pass" R, 2:00, Kaahumanu 6 and Front Street Theaters.
With Bobby and Peter Farrelly directing, it doesn't take Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis long to head for the R-for-raunchy side in this crude comedy. They play a pair of bored husbands given the supreme gift from their wives: permission to take a week off from their monogamous wedding vows. Imagine their surprise when they discover that their appeal falls well short of their fantasies at the same time their wives (Christina Applegate and Jenna Fischer) are having a lot more fun striking the same bargain. It's tops at the box office despite being an early front runner for worst movie of the year.
"I Am Number Four" PG-13, 2:05, Maui Mall Megaplex, ends tonight at Kukui Mall 4 and Front Street Theaters.
Adapted from Pittacus Lore's best-selling sci-fi novel, the story follows a teen alien (Alex Pettyfer) trying to blend into high-school anonymity to evade pursuers trying to destroy him and his fellow visitors from another planet. Having super powers helps. The title refers to his place on the hit list. Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron and Callan McAuliffe co-star; D.J. Caruso directs.
"Just Go With It" PG-13, 2:12, Maui Mall Megaplex, Kukui Mall 4 and Lahaina Wharf Cinemas.
Filmed at the Grand Wailea last spring, this romantic comedy stars Adam Sandler as a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who pretends to be married to avoid making real commitments with the women he dates. Finally finding Miss Right (Brooklyn Decker), his ruse backfires, forcing him to enlist his office assistant (Jennifer Aniston) to pretend to be his soon-to-be-divorced wife, after he takes her and her kids on a Maui vacation. Some 500 Mauians show up in supporting roles with the Valley Isle providing familiar backdrops. Nicole Kidman, Nick Swardson and Dave Matthews co-star, along with musicians Hapa and Led Ka'apana. Dennis Dugan directs.
"Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" (3-D), G, 2:00, Kaahumanu 6.
Go on tour with the young music sensation in this 3-D concert filmed at performances in 2010. You'll be surrounded in the audience by the tween-age fans of the boyish sex symbol, whose co-stars include Boys II Men, Miley Cyrus, Sean Kingston, Ludacris, Jaden Smith, Usher and more. Directed by Jon Chu, there's also behind-the-scenes humor and old photos and home movies illuminating Justin's path to the top.
"The King's Speech" R, 1:58, Kukui Mall 4 and Maui Mall Megaplex.
The big winner Oscar night with well-deserved statues for screenplay, direction, best actor and best picture. With Colin Firth leading fellow Oscar nominees Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, the wonderful historical drama tells of England's future King George VI, whose path to the throne is detoured by personal demons and debilitating speech impediment, and the treatment he receives from an unconventional Australian speech therapist. Superb performances laced with great humor make the film both inspiring and fun, even with the menace of Herr Hitlet preparing for war on England's doorstep reminding us of the grave matters at hand. It's the rare case of a feel-good movie that makes you feel smarter, too. Recommended!
"The Mechanic" R, 1:48, ends tonight at Maui Mall Megaplex.
No-nonsense English action star Jason Statham reinvents the methodical assassin role first played by Charles Bronson in 1972 and makes the role his own. Moving the action to New Orleans, he plays the professional killer who makes his work look like accidents. Despite his difficulties forming relationships, he gets drawn into a few amidst all the razor-sharp murders and random explosions going on periodically in the background. Donald Sutherland, Ben Foster and Tony Goldwyn co-star; Simon West directs.
"No Strings Attached" R, 2:03, ends tonight at Maui Mall Megaplex.
New Oscar winner Natalie Portman lightens up considerably for this romantic comedy in the age of "friends with benefits." She plays a young doctor who gets back in touch with Ashton Kutcher, a friend from childhood and college days who's now an aspiring TV writer. The title refers to their sexual agreement; the novelty is that it's her idea and he's the one who goes all mushy on her. Veteran Ivan Reitman directs a cast featuring Kevin Kline, Lake Bell, Greta Garwig, Ludacris and Jake M. Johnson. Despite so-so reviews, film is actually full of charm and wit, with Portman shining in the role usually reserved for Anne Hathaway or Katherine Heigl, and Kutcher displaying a good heart and nice comedic touch.
"Sanctum" R, 1:48. Maui Mall Megaplex (3-D).
An expedition mapping vast, mile-deep caves in Papua New Guinea encounters freak conditions that add to the dangers in this genre adventure piece directed by Australian Alister Grierson and produced by "Avatar" auteur James Cameron. Richard Boxburgh plays the cold-fish expedition leader, Rhys Wakefield plays his kinder-hearted son with Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Parkinson co-starring. Cameron, a fan of subterranean action ever since "The Abyss," tries out his 3-D techniques in this new realm, keeping the audience guessing which cast member will be next to go in the endless fight with the forces of nature.
"Unknown" PG-13, 2:08, Maui Mall Megaplex, Kukui Mall 4 and Front Street Theaters.
Although he is one of the most noble movie stars of our time, Liam Neeson is more fun as the greatest action hero since Matt Damon wandered into Bourne territory. Neeson is back in "Taken" mode as an American biologist in Berlin for a conference who barely escapes a harrowing car accident, spends four days in a coma in a hospital, then returns to find his wife (January Jones) pretending she's not his wife and Aidan Quinn claiming to be him. Once again, despite the reserved demeanor Neeson shows he's not the kind of guy to mess with, mixing his intelligence and nuance as an actor with a no-nonsense, no-regrets, no-prisoners approach to evening the score with whoever does him wrong. Diane Krueger is an able partner in all the action with Frank Langella, Bruno Ganz and Sebastian Koch co-starring and Spain's Jaume Sollett-Serra directing. Although the plot has some holes that reveal themselves after rethinking it all, the film still provides a fun-filled, adrenalized ride with Neeson shining once again as an action figure with a brain, a heart and a soul. Recommended.
