FirstLight, the Maui Film Festival's 13th annual series of screenings of Golden Globe nominees, year-end film award-winners and almost all the films expected to be in contention for Academy Awards this year, concludes its holiday run this weekend in Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Tickets are $12, $10 with a four-punch FastPass, available at the MACC box office. Here are synopses of this week's films, provided by the Maui Film Festival.
Thursday, Dec. 29 (today)
2 p.m. -"Anonymous" PG-13, 2:09
What if William Shakespeare were a fraud? A political thriller starring Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave, David Thelwis and Joely Richardson.
5 p.m. - "Happy, Happy" R, 1:28, in Norwegian with English subtitles.
A quirky, insightful comedy about a young housewife drawn to the glamorous couple living next door. Norway's Academy Award submission.
7:30 p.m. - "Pariah" R, 1:26
An African-American teenager follows her heart's true passion. "Wonderful" (Rolling Stone). "Pulses with Authenticity!" (Entertainment Weekly).
*****
Friday, Dec. 30
2 p.m. - "Moneyball" PG-13, 2:06
Brad Pitt stars. Jonah Hill and Phillip Seymour Hoffman co-star in a "baseball film" that, at its core, actually honors anyone taking on the "system."
5 p.m. - "The Way" NR, 1:55
Martin Sheen plays a father who decides to complete a religious pilgrimage through the Pyrenees begun by his son, in this inspirational drama.
7:30 p.m. - "Oka!" NR, 1:46, in English and Bantu and French with English subtitles.
An ethno-musicologist returns to Africa to help Bayaka pygmies protect their forest home and sustain their joyous tribal lives. Kris Marshall stars.
