These are Maui Scene's mini-reviews, excerpts of wire service reviews and previews provided by studios and other sources.
Opens Friday
"Step Up Revolution," PG-13, 1:54, Front Street Theater and Kaahumanu 6.
Article Photos
In “Step Up Revolution” opening Friday, a group of dancers called “The Mob” use colorful Miami as their stage.
Sam Emerson / SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT photo
The colorful and vibrant streets of Miami set the dancing backdrop for this lively romp. Emily arrives in town with high aspirations of becoming a professional dancer. But soon she falls in love with Sean, a hottie who leads a dance crew in elaborate, cutting-edge flash scenes, called "The Mob." When a wealthy business man threatens to develop The Mob's historic neighborhood and displace thousands of people, Emily must work together with Sean and his pals to turn their performance art into protest art, and risk losing their dreams to fight for a greater cause. Stars Kathryn McCormick and Ryan Guzman.
"The Watch," R, 1:57, Maui Mall Megaplex, Kukui Mall and Front Street Theater.
An all-star cast of some of the goofiest actors around includes Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill and Vince Vaughn, among others. The antics begin as the suburban dads form a neighborhood watch group as a way to get out of their day-to-day ordinary Ohio family routines, only to find themselves defending the planet against an all-out alien invasion. This comedy and sci-fi film is directed by Akiva Schaffer, who is taking a break from Saturday Night Live for his second full-length movie.
Still playing
"The Dark Knight Rises," PG-13, 2:04, Kukui?Mall, Maui Mall Megaplex and Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center.
Warner Bros. is working with Colorado's governor to make donations to charities to support victims of the recent rampage, says the Hollywood Reporter, and lead actor Christian Bale has visited with some of the shooting victims.
Eight years after Batman took the fall for Two Face's crimes, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham's finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy. Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar-winner Christian Bale ("The Fighter") again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. "The Dark Knight Rises" also stars Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy as Bane; Oscar winner Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose") as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake. Christopher Nolan directs.
"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.
"Ice Age: Continental Drift," PG, 1:34, Kaahumanu 6, Kukui Mall and Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center.
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, John Leguizamo.
"Katy Perry: Part of Me" PG-13, 1:52, Kaahumanu 6.
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. Ends tonight at 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.
"Moonrise Kingdom" PG-13, 1:34, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Set in 1965, the movie pairs young lovers, who flee their New England town, causing 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, the film stars Bruce Willis as the town's police officer.
"Ted" R, 1:46, Front Street Theaters and 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.
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.
"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, Maui Mall Megaplex. Ends tonight at Kukui Mall.
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.
"Brave" PG, 1:40, Kaahumanu 6, ends tonight at Front Street Theaters.
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.
"Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" PG, 1:25, Maui Mall Megaplex.
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.
"People Like Us" PG-13, 1:35, Ends tonight at Maui Mall Megaplex.
A man is tasked with delivering $150,000 of his deceased father's fortune to the sister he has never met. 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.
* Movie listings are subject to last-minute changes. Visit www.mauigateway.com/~rw/ movie/ for updates.
