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
"Limitless" PG-13, 2:00, Maui Mall Megaplex and Front Street Theaters.
Article Photos
Simon Pegg (from left), Kristen Wiig and Nick Frost go for a wild and crazy ride with Paul the alien, voiced by Seth Rogen, in the zany new comedy “Paul.”
Universal Pictures photo via AP
Bradley Cooper plays a dead-end aspiring writer who turns his life around after happening onto a magic pill. Before he knows it, he's smart, rich, famous and hooked. It turns out the path to the top has a slippery slope heading down on the other side. Abbie Cornish and Robert De Niro head the supporting cast, directed by "The Illusionist's" Neil Burger.
"The Lincoln Lawyer" R, 2:14, Maui Mall Megaplex. Kukui Mall 4 and Front Street Theaters.
Matthew McConaughey brings his Southern drawl and natural swagger to the role of a confident L.A. defense attorney in this action drama. The title refers to his car -a Lincoln Continental -that doubles as his office. The star's charisma is reportedly in high gear in the script that fills his life and career with moral dilemmas in and out of the courtroom. He's backed by a first-rate supporting cast including Ryan Phillipe, John Leguizamo, Frances Fisher, Michael Pena, Marisa Tomei and William H. Macy. Brad Furman directs.
Fact Box
It's Showtime
Times in the movie ads are subject to change on the weekend. For up-to-date movie time changes visit www.mauigateway. com/~rw/movie/ online.
"Paul" R, 2:01, Maui Mall Megaplex, Kukui Mall 4 or Front Street Theaters.
Seth Rogen provides the voice of Paul, an actual visitor from outer space who's been held in a secret government program since 1947 but makes a break for freedom with a pair of English comic book nerds (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost). The zany pair behind the zombie comedy "Shaun of the Dead" pay skewed winking tribute to all the sci-fi classics, along with silly Americans, co-starring with Kristin Wiig, Jane Lynch, Jason Bateman, Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio. Greg Mottola directs.
Special showing
"Young Jaws" has its world premiere at Lulu's in Lahaina at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Blood is thicker than water for the Walsh boys in "Young Jaws," a short film of epic proportions set against the backdrop of harrowing Jaws on Maui's north shore. Brothers Ian and Luke Walsh depend on one another to survive some of the biggest waves on the planet. Stunning footage of Jaws tow-ins are enhanced by insightful narrative by the young, local pro-surfers themselves, along with their friends, parents and mentor Matt Kinoshita, who offer a glimpse into the future of big wave surfing. Distribution details are still in the works for this Red Bull production, so it would be best to catch this wave of excitement before it's too late.
Still playing
"The Adjustment Bureau" PG-13, 2:01, Kaahumanu 6; ends tonight at 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.
"Battle: Los Angeles" PG-13, 2:11, Maui Mall Megaplex, Kukui Mall 4 and Front Street Theaters.
Allegedly inspired by unexplained events over Los Angeles some time ago, this sci-fi adventure pits of platoon of Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton against -ta da! -aliens from outer space. Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez and Bridget Moynahan lead the cast; Jonathan Liebesman directs.
"Beastly" PG-13, 1:35, Maui Mall Megaplex.
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.
"Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son" PG-13, 2:02, Kaahumanu 6.
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.
"Cedar Rapids" R, 1:27, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Ed Helms continues his journey from the TV screen to movies playing a sweet but naive insurance salesman who does a lot of growing up in a hurry at the big convention in this offbeat comedy's titular city. The "Hangover" co-star plays leading man to a distinguished supporting cast including John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Sigourney Weaver, Thomas Lennon and Rob Cordry. Alia Shawkat directs
"Drive Angry" R, 2:00, (3-D), Maui Mall Megaplex.
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.
"Gnomeo & Juliet" G, 1:39, Maui Mall Megaplex (3-D).
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; ends tonight at 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.
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; ends tonight at Front Street Theaters.
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, ends tonight at 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, ends tonight at Kukui Mall 4; opens Friday at Kaahumanu 6.
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!
"Mars Needs Moms" PG, 1:43, Kaahumanu 6 and Lahaina Wharf Cinemas.
Like an even younger companion piece to "Battle: Los Angeles," this animated comedy revolves around a young boy named Milo (Seth Green), forced into action after aliens from Mars arrive on Earth to kidnap mothers and bring them home to their planet. Dan Fogler, Joan Cusack, Elizabeth Harnois, Mindy Sterling, Kevin Cahoon and Tom Everett Scott provide voices; Simon Wells directs and co-writes.
''Rango'' PG, 1:47, Maui Mall Megaplex and Lahaina Wharf Cinemas; ends tonight at Kukui Mall 4.
Johnny Depp reteams with "Pirates of the Caribbean" director Gore Verbinsky for this wiggy, offbeat Western comedy that has more in common with"High Noon," "Chinatown" and Clint Eastwood spaghetti Westerns than with your usual cartoon. Unrelently clever in both dialogue and visual effects, it features a would-be actor who happens to be a lizard, who somehow becomes the sheriff of the Old West town of Dirt. Not only does he have to solve the mystery of who's stealing the town's water, but he has to prove himself an archetypical hero in the process in a script that will go right over the kids' heads, but will provide nonstop diversions for film fans. Isla Fisher, Alfred Molina, Ray Winstone, Stephen Root, Claudia Black, Abigail Breslin and Ned Beatty provide voices for the ragtag co-stars. Recommended.
"Red Riding Hood" PG-13, 1:55, Maui Mall Megaplex; Kukui Mall 4 and Lahaina Wharf Cinemas.
As portrayed by Amanda Seyfried, the familiar heroine heads for the dark side of the woods in this fairy tale updated for the "Twilight" audience. It's a werewolf rather than a wolf making things dangerous for life in her medieval village. In ways the Brothers Grimm never imagined, she's torn between an arranged marriage with a wealthy villager and her attraction for a mysterious woodcutter. "Twilight's" Catherine Hardwicke directs a heavy hitting supporting cast that includes Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Virginia Madsen, Lukas Haas and Julie Christie.
"Take Me Home Tonight" R, 1:53, ends tonight at 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.
"Unknown" PG-13, 2:08, Maui Mall Megaplex; ends tonight at 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 ride with Neeson shining once again as an action figure with a brain, a heart and a soul. Recommended.
