These are Maui Scene's mini-reviews, excerpts of wire service reviews and previews provided by studios and other sources.
Opens Friday
"Moonrise Kingdom" PG-13, 1:34, Maui Mall Megaplex
Article Photos
Matt Bomer puts it on before taking it all off in a scene from “Magic Mike.”
CLAUDETE BARIUS photo
Set in 1965, a pair of young lovers flee their New England town, which causes a local search party to fan out and look for them. Various factions of the town mobilize to search for the couple and the town is turned upside down. The boy (Jared Gilman) has escaped summer camp to seek out the girl (Kara Hayward) whom he met the year before and became pen pals with. He applies his all-around scouting skills and the girl brings her library books and cat in a basket. Wes Anderson directs. In addition to Bill Murray and Frances McDormand, who play the girl's parents, the film stars Bruce Willis as the town's police officer.
"Ted" R, 1:46, Kukui Mall, Front Street Theaters, Maui Mall Megaplex
John makes a Christmas miracle happen by bringing his one and only friend to life, his teddy bear. The two grow up together and John must then choose to stay with his girlfriend or keep his friendship with his crude and extremely inappropriate teddy bear, Ted. Seth MacFarlane, creator of TV's "Family Guy," is screen writer and director. He also stars in the movie with Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. Ted is MacFarlane's first attempt at writing and directing a live-action comedy. It is filled with racial, sexual and raunchy humor. There is also a large helping of pop cultural references thrown in for good measure.
"Magic Mike" R, 1:50, Maui Mall Megaplex, Wharf Cinema Center
Mike, an experienced stripper, takes a younger performer called The Kid under his wing and schools him in the arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money. Actor Channing Tatum (who plays Mike) puts on an inspired performance, thanks in part to his pre-Hollywood experience as a male stripper. Alex Pettyfer and Olivia Munn also star. Director Steven Soderbregh taps into the erotic energy that helped bring him fame more than 20 years ago with "Sex, Lies and Videotape."
"People Like Us" PG-13, 1:35, Maui Mall Megaplex
A man is tasked with delivering $150,000 of his deceased father's fortune to the sister he has never met. As the movie unfolds, it reveals how the siblings were shaped by their respective rotten childhoods and lays the foundation for present-day decision making. One of the film's stars, Elizabeth Banks, is the recipient of the 2012 Maui Film Festival Navigator Award. Chris Pine plays her brother. Michelle Pfeiffer has a strong supporting role as the brother's mother. Co-writer Alex Kurtzman makes his directorial debut.
"Madea's Witness Protection" PG-13, 1:54, Maui Mall Megaplex
George Needleman, the CFO of a Wall Street investment bank, is set up as the fall guy of his company's mob-backed Ponzi scheme. Facing criminal charges and worse from the mob, George and his family are put under witness protection down south at Aunt Madea's house. The clan includes George's wife, Kate; his senile mother, Barbara; teenage daughter Cindy; and spoiled 7-year-old son Howie. Screenplay and direction is by Tyler Perry, who also stars in the film with Eugene Levy and Denise Richards.
Opens Wednesday
"The Amazing Spiderman" PG-13, 2:16, Front Street Theaters
Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy, and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance-leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner. As Spiderman is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero. Stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans. Marc Webb directs.
Still playing
"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" R, 1:45, Maui Mall Megaplex, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center, Kukui Mall
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the country. He makes it his mission to eliminate them. The fast-paced film respects Lincoln the man and Lincoln the president, if viewers are willing to suspend their disbelief in the premise of vampires planning to take over the United States. Viewers should also be prepared to see vampires hacked, slashed, and bashed to death in a wide variety of ways. Stars Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell and Dominic Cooper. Timur Bekmambetov directs.
"Brave" PG, 1:40, Kaahumanu 6, Front Street Theaters, Kukui Mall
Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse. This is not your typical Disney Princess. As the title suggests, the Princess Merida is a tough, self-reliant heroine with a spirit that blazes as bright as her fiery red hair. She is voiced by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald. Other stars include Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson in this Disney/Pixar film directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman and Steve Purcell.
"Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" R, 1:41, Kaahumanu 6
As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. With three weeks before the big impact, Dodge (Steve Carell) continues to trudge to his job at an insurance company before he decides to take a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. Accompanying him is a neighbor who inadvertently puts a wrench in his plan. Some of the best laughs come in the early scenes as Dodge and his friends try to dull the fear and realization of their own mortality with risky behavior. The film also stars Keira Knightley and Melanie Lynskey. Lorene Scfaria directs.
"Rock of Ages" PG-13, 2:03, Kaahumanu 6, Kukui Mall, ends tonight at Lahaina Wharf Cinema Centers
Under the direction of Adam Shankman ("Hairspray"), New Line Cinema's feature film adaptation of the smash hit Broadway musical "Rock of Ages" comes to the big screen. "Rock of Ages" tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock 'n roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Foreigner, Journey, Poison, REO Speedwagon, Twisted Sister and more. Stars Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta and Tom Cruise.
"That's My Boy " R, 1:45, Maui Mall Megaplex, ends tonight at Front Street Theaters
While still in his teens, Donny (Adam Sandler) fathered a son, Todd (Andy Samberg), and raised him as a single parent up until Todd's 18th birthday. Now, after not seeing each other for years, Todd's world comes crashing down on the eve of his wedding when an uninvited Donny suddenly shows up. Trying desperately to reconnect with his son, Donny is now forced to deal with the repercussions of his bad parenting skills. Sean Anders directs.
"Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" PG, 1:25, Maui Mall Megaplex, Lahaina Wharf Cinemas and Kukui Mall
Lion Alex (Ben Stiller), zebra Marty (Chris Rock), hippo Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) and giraffe Melman (David Schwimmer) are still trying to get back to the Big Apple and their beloved Central Park Zoo, but first they need to find the penguins. They travel to Monte Carlo where they attract the attention of Animal Control after gate crashing a party and are joined by the penguins, King Julian and Co., the monkeys and a new arrival: a performing llama. How do a lion, zebra, hippo, giraffe, four penguins, two monkeys, three lemurs and a llama travel through Europe without attracting attention? They join a traveling circus. Eric Darnell, Conrad Vernon and?Tom McGrath direct.
"Prometheus" R, 2:04, Maui Mall Megaplex, ends tonight at Front Street Theaters
A team of scientists journey through the universe on the spaceship "Prometheus" on a voyage to investigate Alien life forms. The team of scientists becomes stranded on an Alien world, and as they struggle to survive it becomes clear that the horrors they experience are not just a threat to themselves, but to all of mankind. Written by Wellard Rockard. Stars Noomi Rapace, Loga Marshall-Green and Michael Fassbender. Ridley Scott directs.
"Snow White and the Huntsman" PG-13, 2:07, Front Street Theaters, Kaahumanu 6,
Snow White is the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen. Unable to tolerate the insult to her vanity, the evil queen decides that Snow White must die. The queen sends a huntsman to kill Snow White. However the huntsman finds himself unable to murder the innocent young woman, and instead ends up training her to become a warrior capable of threatening the queen's reign. Stars Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Chris Hemsworth as the huntsman and Charlize Theron as the evil queen. Rupert Sanders directs.
"Men in Black III" PG-13, 1:45, Kaahumanu 6
An alien criminal kills the young Agent K in 1969, altering the timeline, changing the Agency and placing the Earth in danger. Veteran Agent J (Will Smith) must travel back in time to 1969 to before the murder and work with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save him, the Agency, the Earth and humanity itself.
Every opportunity for action is fully exploited with stunning visual effects. More importantly, unlike the second film, Director Barry Sonnenfeld allows the flesh-and-blood characters to remain the stars of the show.
"What to Expect When You're Expecting" PG-13, 1:50, Ends tonight at Maui Mall Megaplex.
Inspired by the perennial New York Times bestseller of the same name, What to Expect When You're Expecting is a heartfelt big screen comedy about five couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood. A kaleidoscopic comedy as universal as it is unpredictable, What to Expect When You're Expecting finds humr and uplift in all the unexpected trials and triumphs of welcoming a child into the world. Stars Cameron Diaz, Matthew Morrison and J. Todd Smith. Kirk Jones directs.
"Battleship" PG-13, 2:11, Ends tonight at Maui Mall Megaplex.
Based on the classic Hasbro naval combat game, Battleship is the story of an international fleet of ships who come across an alien armada whilst on a Naval war games exercise. An intense battle ensues over sea, land and air. Those looking for big, loud sci-fi action will find plenty of it here. Three ships are left stranded inside a gigantic alien spaceship's force field during what was supposed to be a routine exercise between Japanese and American sailors off the coast of Hawaii. What do they aliens-known as 'The Regents'-want? Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker and Liam Neeson star. Recording artist Rihanna plays a plucky weapons specialist who scampers about the USS John Paul Jones making things go boom. Peter Berg directs.
"The Avengers" PG-13, 2:38, Maui Mall Megaplex
The hype has been building for years and it couldn't possibly be more deafening at this point. After a series of summer blockbusters that individually introduced Iron Man, The Incredible ulk, Thor and Captain America, all these characters come together alongside several other friends and foes in "Marvel's The Avengers." And with director and co-writer Joss Whedon, they couldn't be in better hands. He's pulled off the tricky feat of juggling a large ensemble cast and giving everyone a chance to shine, of balancing splashy set pieces with substantive ideology. Stuff explodes in beautifully detailed 3-D.
* Movie listings are subject to last-minute changes. Visit www.mauigateway.com/~rw/movie/ for updates.
