These are Maui Scene's mini-reviews, excerpts of wire service reviews and previews provided by studios and other sources.
Opens Friday
"Cloud Atlas," R, 2:12, , Kukui Mall, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Based on the novel by David Mitchell, "Cloud Atlas" is an exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution. Stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Hugh Grant. Tom Tykwer, Andy and Lana Wachowski direct.
"Chasing Mavericks," PG, 1:56, Kaahumanu 6, Kukui Mall, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center.
The inspirational true story of real life surfing phenom Jay Moriarty. When 15 year old Jay discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, is not only real, but exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson to train him to survive it. As Jay and Frosty embark on their quest to accomplish the impossible, they form a unique friendship that transforms both their lives, and their quest to tame Mavericks becomes about far more than surfing. Stars Jonny Weston, Gerard Butler and Elisabeth Shue. Michael Apted and Curtis Hanson direct.
"Silent Hill: Revelation 3D," R, 1:34, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Heather Mason and her father have been on the run, always one step ahead of dangerous forces that she doesn't fully understand. Now on the eve of her 18th birthday, plagued by horrific nightmares and the disappearance of her father, Heather discovers she's not who she thinks she is. The revelation leads her deeper into a demonic world that threatens to trap her forever. Sean Bean, Radha Mitchell and Carrie-Anne Moss star. Michael Bassett directs.
"Fun Size," PG-13, 1:30, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Wren's Halloween plans go awry when she's made to babysit her brother, who disappears into a sea of trick-or-treaters. With her best friend and two nerds at her side, she needs to find her brother before her mom finds out he's missing. Stars Victoria Justice, Chelsea Handler and Ana Gasteyer. Josh Schwartz directs.
Still Playing
"Paranormal Activity 4," R, 1:28, Maui Mall Megaplex, Kukui Mall
It has been five years since the disappearance of Katie and Hunter, and a suburban family witness strange events in their neighborhood when a woman and a mysterious child move in. Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman are back after directing "Paranormal Activitiy 3" and they do an admirable job of keeping things believeable, considering the franchise's challenge of providing a seemingly never-ending series of jump scares. Katie Featherston, Kathryn Newton and Matt Shively star.
"Alex Cross," PG-13, 1:41, Kaahumanu 6.
After Washington DC detective Alex Cross is told that a family member has been murdered, he vows to track down the killer. He soon discovers that she was not his first victim and that things are not what they seem. Loosely based on James Patterson's novel, "Cross," the thriller casts Tyler Perry as a hard-boiled detective. Matthew Fox and Rachel Nichols co star. Rob Cohen directs.
"Sinister," R, 1:50, ends tonight at Kaahumanu 6.
Found footage helps a true-crime novelist realize how and why a family was murdered, though his discoveries put his entire family in the path of a supernatural entity. It's been more than a decade since author Ellison Oswald (Ethan Hawke) has had a hit book and as a result his methods become more desperate. He moves his family into the victim's home to research his latest novel, and that's where the trouble begins. The scares are intense and unyielding in this compelling horror film from "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" director Scott Derrickson. Juliet Rylance and James Ransone co star.
"Argo," R, 2:00, Kaahumanu 6, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center.
The Iran hostage crisis of 1979-81 was a dire turning point in modern history. Based on a "declassified true story," Director Ben Affleck handles this political thriller with intelligence, great period detail and a surprising amount of humor. The story begins as the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point and a mob takes 52 American embassy workers hostage. A CIA "exfiltration" specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have managed to slip away and find shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador. Affleck also stars with Bryan Cranston and John Goodman.
"Seven Psychopaths," R, 1:49, Maui Mall Megaplex.
A struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu. The colorful cast includes actors Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell. Director Martin McDonagh's absurd satire of the writing process includes plenty of one-liners that poke fun at crime-movie cliches.
"Here Comes the Boom," PG, 1:45, Maui Mall Megaplex.
A high school biology teacher looks to become a successful mixed-martial arts fighter in an effort to raise money to prevent extra-curricular activities from being axed at his cash-strapped school. Kevin James plays Scott Voss, the teacher who wants to save the job of music teacher, Marty Streb (played by Henry Winkler). Frank Coraci directs.
"Atlas Shrugged: Part II," PG-13, 1:52, ends tonight at Maui Mall Megaplex.
The global economy is on the brink of collapse. Unemployment tops 24 percent. Gas is $42 per gallon. Railroads are the main transportation. Brilliant creators, from artists to industrialists, are mysteriously disappearing. Dagny Taggart, COO of Taggart Transcontinental, has discovered an answer to the mounting energy crisis - a prototype of a motor that draws energy from static electricity. But, until she finds its creator, it's useless. It's a race against time. And someone is watching. Samantha Mathis, Jason Beghe and Esai Morales star. John Putch directs.
"Frankenweenie," PG, 1:27, Maui Mall Megaplex, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center, ends tonight at Kukui Mall.
Young Victor Frankenstein (voiced by Charlie Tahan), conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences. "Frankenweenie" is Tim Burton's latest exercise in animation and reanimation. The black and white, stop-motion picture is an ideal medium for displaying the director's unique world of whimsy. The cast inlcudes Chatherine O'Hara and Martin Short as Victor's doting parents (among other roles), Martin Landau as a Vincent Price-inspired science teacher and Winona Ryder as Elsa Van Helsing.
"Taken 2," PG-13, 1:31, Maui Mall Megaplex, ends tonight at Kukui Mall & Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center.
In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter. The orginal "Taken" helped redefine Neeson as a bankable action star. This second installment makes no attempt to tamper with the macho formula except that the violence is toned down significantly. As a result, "Taken 2" is more engaging and even funnier than its predecessor. Stars Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace. Olivier Megaton directs.
"Hotel Transylvania," PG, 1:31, Kaahumanu 6.
Hotel Transylvania is Dracula's lavish resort, where monsters and their families can live it up without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of the world's most famous monsters to celebrate his daughter Mavis' 118th birthday. For Dracula, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem - but his world could come crashing down when a human stumbles on the hotel for the first time and takes a shine to Mavis. Adam Sandler is the voice of Dracula. Andy Samberg and Selena Gomez play love-struck Jonathan and Mavis. Genndy Tadtakovsky directs.
"Looper," R, 1:58, Kaahumanu 6, ends tonight at Kukui Mall.
Time travel changes everything. In 2072, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent 30 years in the past, where a hired gun awaits in the year 2042. Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is one of the hired guns, called "Loopers." One day, Joe learns the mob wants to "close the loop" by transporting back Joe's future self (Bruce Willis). The situation only gets stickier when future Joe arrives in the past with his own agenda. Rian Johnson directs.
"Arbitrage," R, 1:40, Kaahumanu 6.
A troubled hedge-fund magnate desperate to complete the sale of his trading empire makes an error that forces him to turn to an unlikely person for help. Richard Gere plays money mogul Robert Miller. He is married to well-heeled Ellen (Susan Sarandon). Amid an extra-marital affair and missing millions, the collective moral compass of "Arbitrage" begins to spin wildly in this well-written, high-tension drama. Nicholas Jarecki directs.
"End of Watch," R, 1:49, ends tonight at Maui Mall Megaplex.
Two young officers are marked for death after confiscating a small cache of money and firearms from the members of a notorious cartel, during a routine traffic stop. There are some adrenaline-producing encounters in this cops versus cartel drama. Screen writer David Ayer (who also directs)?captures the tension of walking into deadly situations. Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena and Anna Kendrick star.
"The Master," R, 2:17, Kaahumanu 6.
After returning from the Second World War, having witnessed many horrors, a charismatic intellectual creates a faith-based organization in an attempt to provide meaning to his life. He becomes known as "The Master." His right-hand man, a former drifter, begins to question both the belief system and The Master as the organization grows and gains a fervent following. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams star. Paul Thomas Anderson directs.
* Movie listings are subject to last-minute changes. Visit www.mauigateway.com/~rw/ movie/ for updates.
