These are Maui Scene's mini-reviews, excerpts of wire service reviews and previews provided by studios and other sources.
Opens Friday
"Ice Age: Continental Drift," PG, 1:34, Kaahumanu 6, Kukui Mall and Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center
Article Photos
Scrat’s nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn has world-changing consequences in “Ice Age: Continental Drift.”
20th Century Fox photo
Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world. Scrat's nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he's been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences - a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny, Diego and Sid. In the wake of these upheavals, Sid reunites with his cantankerous Granny, and the herd encounters a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them from returning home. Stars Ray Romano, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo.
"Safety Not Guaranteed" R, 1:26, Maui Mall Megaplex
This science-fiction-tinged oddball comedy is a small movie with a lot of heart. Three magazine employees head out on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified ad seeking a companion for time travel. The crazy premise serves as the launching pad for a scrappy and romantic romp that delivers some soul-searching moments as well as a steady stream of laughs. Stars Aubrey Plaza, Jake M. Johnson and Karan Soni. Colin Trevorrow directs.
Still playing
"Katy Perry: Part of Me" PG-13, 1:52, Kaahumanu 6, Wharf Cinema Center
A documentary that chronicles Katy Perry's life on and off-stage stars, of course, Katy Perry, along with actors Shannon Woodward and Lucas Kerr. The ex-wife of Russell Brand is known for her pop songs and concert tours with hundreds of screaming fans. Now, she's gearing up so that we may take an inside look at her life while she's on tour, backstage and with her loved ones. Fans will be enthralled by the 3-D diary that goes behind the scenes to show how much fun she's having as a 27-year-old diva.
"Savages" R, 2:10, Kaahumau 6 and Front Street Theaters.
Entrepreneurs Ben, a peaceful and charitable marijuana producer, and friend Chon, a former Navy SEAL, run a lucrative, homegrown industry - raising some of the best weed ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with Ophelia. Life is idyllic in their Southern California town . . . until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. Oliver Stone directs this crime thriller and Benicio Del Toro, John Travolta, Taylor Kitsch and Uma Thurman star.
"To Rome with Love" R, 1:51, Maui Mall Megaplex, Kukui Mall.
This romantic comedy written and directed by Woody Allen stars Alec Baldwin, Judy Davis, Roberto Benigni and Penelope Cruz. Allen traverses between four dfferent stories and each of them connect in a way. While on his holiday in Rome, an architect helps a young man with his love woes. In perhaps the best of the four pieces, Allen appears as an opera director who doubts his own actions. In the third piece, Cruz plays a prostitute who is passed off as the John's wife. And, last but not least, Benigni is propelled to stardom and then is stalked by paparazzi.
"Moonrise Kingdom" PG-13, 1:34, Maui Mall Megaplex
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 culture 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.
"Tyler Perry's 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.
"The Amazing Spiderman" PG-13, 2:16, Front Street Theaters, Kukui Mall, Maui Mall Megaplex.
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.
"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" R, 1:45, Maui Mall Megaplex.
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. Stars Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell and Dominic Cooper. Timur Bekmambetov directs.
"Brave" PG, 1:40, Front Street Theaters, Kaahumanu 6, ends tonight at 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. Stars Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson. This Disney/Pixar film is directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman and Steve Purcell.
"Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" PG, 1:25, ends tonight at Maui Mall Megaplex, Lahaina Wharf Cinemas.
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. Eric Darnell, Conrad Vernon and?Tom McGrath direct.
"Prometheus" R, 2:04, ends tonight at Maui Mall Megaplex
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, ends tonight at 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.
"The Avengers" PG-13, 2:38, ends tonight at 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 Hulk, Thor and Captain America, all these characters come together alongside several other friends and foes in "Marvel's The Avengers." .
"Men in Black III" PG-13, 1:45, ends tonight at 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.
* Movie listings are subject to last-minute changes. Visit www.mauigateway.com/~rw/ movie/ for updates.
