These are Maui Scene's mini-reviews, excerpts of wire service reviews and previews provided by studios and other sources.
Opens Thursday
"Texas Chainsaw 3D" R, 1:32, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Article Photos
John Dugan and Bill Moseley in “Texas Chainsaw 3D”
AP photo
A young woman travels to Texas to collect an inheritance, but little does she know that an encounter with a chainsaw-wielding killer is part of the reward. This horror-mystery thriller takes off where the 1974 fright night ended. John Luessenhop directs. Actors are Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonds and Scott Eastwood.
Opens Friday
"The Impossible" PG-13, 1:54, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Nothing is more powerful than the human spirit in this true-life tale of surviving the tsunami in Thailand. Stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor.
"Not Fade Away" R, 1:52, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Set in suburban New Jersey the 1960s, a group of friends form a rock band, much to the chagrin of their parents in this musical drama from The Sopranos' David Chase.
"Promised Land" R, 1:46, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Matt Damon plays a natural gas company salesman who experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources. What seems like an easy job becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher (Hal Holbrook) with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man (John Krasinski), as well as the interest of a local woman (Rosemarie DeWitt).
Still Playing
"Parental Guidance" PG, 1:40, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center, Kaahumanu 6.
Artie and Diane agree to look after their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents need to leave town for work. Problems arise when the kids' 21st-century behaviors collide with Artie and Diane's old-school methods.
"Django Unchained" R, 2:02, Maui Mall Megaplex.
A former slave and a German bounty hunter become unlikely allies in the battle against a tyrannical plantation owner in this Western from director Quentin Tarantino. The all-star Hollywood cast features Jaime Foxx, Chris Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson.
"Les Miserables" R, 2:02, Kaahumanu 6.
Bille August directs this Rafael Yglesias adaptation of the 1862 classic by Victor Hugo. In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever.
"Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away" (also in 3D) PG, 1:31, Maui Mall Megaplex.
A young couple who is separated must journey through the astonishing and dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil to find each other, as audiences experience the immersive 3D technology that will allow them to leap, soar, swim, and dance with the performers.
"This is 40" R, 2:14, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Five years after writer/director Judd Apatow introduced us to Pete and Debbie in "Knocked Up," Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprise their roles as a husband and wife both approaching a milestone meltdown in this unfiltered, comedic look inside the life of an American family.
"Jack Reacher" PG-13, 2:10, Maui Mall Megaplex, Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center.
The Usual Suspects' Christopher McQuarrie brings Lee Child's Jack Reacher character to the big screen with this film starring Tom Cruise as the lone-wolf investigator on the hunt for a murderous sniper. Robert Duvall, Richard Jenkins, Rosamund Pike, and director Werner Herzog co-star.
"Monsters, Inc." (also in 3D) G, 1:35, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Monsters generate their city's power by scaring children, but they are terribly afraid themselves of being contaminated by children, so when one enters Monstropolis, Sulley finds his world disrupted.
"The Guilt Trip" PG-13, 1:35, Kaahumanu 6.
Seth Rogen plays inventor Andy Brewster, who is about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime. A quick stop at his mom's (played by Barbra Streisand) house turns into an unexpected cross-country voyage with her along for the ride.
"Silver Linings Playbook" R, 2:02, Maui Mall Megaplex (ends tonight).
After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious girl with problems.
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" PG-13, 2:49, Kaahumanu 6 and Lahaina Wharf Cinema Center.
Director Peter Jackson takes you on an edge-of-your-seat journey in this adventure fantasy that lasts for almost three hours. A curious Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. Jackson's choice to shoot his epic three-part J.R.R. Tolkien prequel in the format that boosts the number of 48 frames per second to the 24 frames per second standard has some unusual consequences.
"Hitchcock" PG-13, 1:38, Maui Mall Megaplex (ends tonight).
Stars Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren and Scarlett Johansson. The story of influential filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and wife Alma Reville during the filming of the movie, "Psycho" in 1959. Directed by Sacha Gervasi.
"Killing Them Softly" R, 1:37, Maui Mall megaplex (ends tonight).
Brad Pitt and Ray Liota star with Richard Jenkins in this crime drama thriller. Todd McCarthy of the Hollywood Reporter pens that "the film is terribly smart in every respect, with ne'er-a-false note in its performances and superb craft work from top to bottom. Writer Kevin Jagermauth of The Playlist says that it's "Uncompromising and uncommercial, divisive and brave," that "Killing Them Softly" bitterly boils at the nation.
"Rise of the Guardians," PG, 1:49, Maui Mall Megaplex.
DreamWorks put together this enthralling film that will easily weave a spell over the whole family, parents included. It's inventive, heartfelt and a work of creative genius when it comes to animation. Lending voices are actors Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law and Isla Fisher. Directed by Peter Ramsay.
"Flight," R, 2:19, Maui Mall Megaplex (ends tonight).
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.
"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2," PG-13, 1:55, Maui Mall Megaplex (ends tonight).
Moviegoers 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 and fantasy. When the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world.
"Life of Pi," PG, 2:07, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Academy Award winner Ang Lee directed this adventure-drama starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan and Akil Hussain. A young man survives a disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor . . . a fearsome Bengal tiger. Some call it the "next Avatar," as it's a remarkable breakthrough of 3D technology.
"Lincoln," PG13, 1:49, Maui Mall Megaplex (ends tonight).
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.
* Movie listings are subject to last-minute changes. For updates, visit www.mauigateway.com/~rw/ movie/.
