These are Maui Scene's mini-reviews, excerpts of wire service reviews and previews provided by studios and other sources.
Opens Friday
"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2," PG13, 1:55, Maui Mall Megaplex, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center.
Article Photos
Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Patterson (from left) want to get to the meat of the matter as stars in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 2.”
SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT photo
Movie goers will want to sink their teeth into this compelling saga that unfolds after the birth of Renesmee. The vampire clans are gathered together to protect the child and lies put the family right in front of trouble in this drama, adventure, fantasy.
"Lincoln," PG13, 1:49, Maui Mall Megaplex.
With Steven Spielberg at the helm as director and Academy Award winners Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field in the lead roles, the Civil War continues to rage on in this biographical and historical drama. Lincoln keeps struggling with the horrific carnage of the war while, at the same time, fighting with some of those in his own cabinet on the controversial decision to emancipate slaves.
Still Playing
"Pitch Perfect," R, 1:52, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Directed by Jason Moore, this fun romp puts the focus on Beca, a freshman at Barden university, who is prodded into joining the Bellas all-girls sining group. After pumping up their repertoire with much needed spunk, the Bellas decide to take on their male singing counterparts in a lively campus contest.
"A Secret Affair," PG13, 1:28, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Directed by Nuel Naval, this romantic drama about lies and temptations stars Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsey along with Andi Eigenmann. While rich girl Rafi (Curtis) is in love with Anton (Ramsey) she belongs to a Friday social club and likes to flaunt her looks and wealth there. But then something happens as Sam (Eigenmann) gets thrown into the mix and a major life shift occurs. Of note is that just two months before the film's release, the name was changed from "Nothing Compares To You."
"Skyfall," PG-13, 2:23, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center, Kaahumanu Center 6.
James Bond buffs who wish to be shaken, not stirred will want to watch what director Sam Mendes does with the latest installment in the long-running spy series that now stars Daniel Craig in the cool and collected roll of 007. This time around, M's past comes back to haunt her and Bond's loyalty to her is put to the test. Action-packed scenes include train-top brawls, explosions and other fun surprises.
"Flight," R, 2:19, Maui Mall Megaplex.
An airline pilot saves a flight from crashing, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals something troubling. Captain Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) is behind the controls when treacherous weather and engine failure threatens the lives of the crew and passengers. Whitaker's drug and alcohol issues suggest another title for the film, "Crash Landing." John Goodman and Kelly Reilly co star. Robert Zemeckis directs.
"Wreck-It Ralph," PG, 1:41, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center, Kaahumanu 6.
Wreck-It Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) longs to be as beloved as his game's perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer). Problem is, nobody loves a Bad Guy. But they do love heroes . . . so when a modern, first-person shooter game arrives featuring tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch), Ralph sees it as his ticket to heroism and happiness. He sneaks into the game with a simple plan - win a medal - but soon wrecks everything, and accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade. Ralph's only hope? Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman), a young troublemaking "glitch" from a candy-coated cart racing game who might just be the one to teach Ralph what it means to be a Good Guy. But will he realize he is good enough to become a hero before it's "Game Over" for the entire arcade? Rich Moore directs.
"The Man with the Iron Fists," R, 1:36, Kaahumanu 6.
On the hunt for a fabled treasure of gold, a band of warriors, assassins, and a rogue British soldier descend upon a village in feudal China, where a humble blacksmith looks to defend himself and his fellow villagers. Russell Crowe, Cung Le and Lucy Liu star. RZA directs.
"Cloud Atlas," R, 2:12, Maui Mall Megaplex, ends tonight at Kukui Mall.
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, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center, ends tonight at Kukui Mall.
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, ends tonight at 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, ends tonight at the 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.
"Paranormal Activity 4," R, 1:28, ends this evening at Maui Mall Megaplex and 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.
"Argo," R, 2:00, Maui Mall Megaplex, closes tonight at the 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, ends this evening at 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.
"Taken 2," PG-13, 1:31, Maui Mall Megaplex.
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. The violence is toned down significantly in this second installment. Stars Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace. Olivier Megaton directs.
* Movie listings are subject to last-minute changes. Visit www.mauigateway.com/~rw/ movie/ for updates."
