These are Maui Scene's mini-reviews, excerpts of wire service reviews and previews provided by studios and other sources.
Opens Friday
"Jack the Giant Slayer" PG-13, 2:02, Lahaina Wharf Cinema and Kaahumanu 6.
Article Photos
Nicholas Hoult and Eleanor Tomlinson in “Jack the Giant Slayer.”
Warner Bros. Entertainment / Legendary Pictures
The ancient war between humans and a race of giants is reignited when Jack (played by Nicholas Hoult), a young farmhand fighting for a kingdom and the love of a princess, opens a gateway between the two worlds. Stanley Tucci and Ewan McGregor also star in this adventure filled fantasy drama.
"Phantom" R, 1:37, Maui Mall Megaplex.
The haunted Captain (played by Ed Harris) of a Soviet submarine holds the fate of the world in his hands. Forced to leave his family behind, he is charged with leading a covert mission cloaked in mystery. Inspired by actual events. Starring Julian Adams and David Duchovny and directed by Todd Robinson.
"The Last Exorcism Part II" PG-13, 1:28, Maui Mall Megaplex.
As Nell Sweetzer tries to build a new life after the events of the first movie, the evil force that once possessed her returns with an even more horrific plan. Ashley Bell, Julia Garner and Spencer Treat Clark star in this horrifying thriller. Ed Gass-Donnelly directs.
"21 and Over" R, 1:33, Lahaina Wharf Cinema and Maui Mall Megaplex.
The night before an important medical school exam, a promising student Jeff Chang (Justin Chon) celebrates his 21st birthday with his two best friends played by Miles Teller and Skylar Astin. What was supposed to be a quick beer becomes a night of humiliation, over indulgence and utter debauchery. Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore.
*****
Still Playing
"A Good Day to Die Hard" R, 1:37, Lahaina Wharf Cinema (end tonight) and Kaahumanu 6.
John McClane travels to Russia to help his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working to prevent a nuclear-weapons heist, causing the father and son to team up against underworld forces. This action-filled crime thriller stars Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney and Sebastian Koch. John Moore directs.
"Beautiful Creatures" PG-13, 2:04, Kaahumanu 6.
Ethan longs to escape his small Southern town when he meets a mysterious new girl, Lena. Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective families, their history and their town. This drama fantasy romance stars Alice Englert, Viola Davis and Emma Thompson. Directed by Richard LaGravenese.
Bullet To the Head" R, 1:31, Maui Mall Megaplex (ends tonight).
Sylvester Stallone, Christian Slater and Oahu's Jason Momoa star in this action-crime thriller. After watching their respective partners die, a New Orleans hitman and a Washington, D.C., detective form an alliance in order to bring down their common enemy. Walter Hill directs.
"Dark Skies" PG-13, 1:35, Kaahumanu 6.
As the Barret family's peaceful suburban life is rocked by an escalating series of disturbing events, they come to learn that a terrifying and deadly force is after them. Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton and Dakota Goyo star in this horror supernatural thriller. Scott Stewart directs.
"Escape from Planet Earth" PG, 1:29, Maui Mall Megaplex and Lahaina Wharf Cinema (ends tonight).
Astronaut Scorch Supernova (voice of Brendan Fraser) finds himself caught in a trap when he responds to an SOS from a notoriously dangerous alien planet. Also lending their voices to this animated adventure comedy are Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba. Cal Brunker directs.
"Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" R, 1:28, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Tommy Wirkola directs this new spin on the famous fairy tale in which Hansel and Gretel are now bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world. As the fabled Blood Moon approaches, the siblings encounter a new form of evil that might hold a secret to their past.
"Identity Thief" R, 1:51, Maui Mall Megaplex.
Mild-mannered businessman Sandy Patterson travels from Denver to Miami to confront the deceptively harmless-looking woman who has been living it up after stealing Sandy's identity. Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy and John Cho star.
"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.
"Parker" R, 1:58, Maui Mall Megaplex (ends tonight).
Jennifer Lopez and Jason Statham star in this thriller about a thief with a unique code of professional ethics. He is double-crossed by his crew and left for dead. Assuming a new disguise and forming an unlikely alliance with a woman on the inside, he looks to hijack the score of the crew's latest heist.
"Safe Haven" PG-13, 1:55, Maui Mall Megaplex.
A young woman with a mysterious past lands in Southport, N.C., where her bond with a widower forces her to confront the dark secret that haunts her. Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel and Cobie Smulders star in this drama- mystery romance. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom.
"Side Effects" R, 2:00, Kaahumanu 6.
In this crime-drama thriller -Emily and Martin are a successful New York couple whose world unravels when a new drug prescribed by Emily's psychiatrist - intended to treat anxiety- has unexpected side effects. Starring Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum and Jude Law.
"Silver Linings Playbook" R, 2:02, Maui Mall Megaplex.
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.
"Snitch" PG-13, 1:35, Kaahumanu 6 and Lahaina Wharf Cinema.
Dwayne Johnson stars as a father whose teenage son is wrongly accused of a drug distribution crime and is looking at a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. Joining Johnson in this action drama thriller are Barry Pepper, Jon Bernthal, Susan Sarandon and Michael Kenneth Williams. Directed by Ric Roman Waugh.
"Stand Up Guys" R, 1:35, Kaahumanu 6 (ends tonight).
A pair of aging con men try to get the old gang back together for one last hurrah before one of the guys takes his last assignment - to kill his comrade. Al Pacino, Alan Arkin and Christopher Walken star in this comedy crime film. Directed by Fisher Stevens.
"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.
"Warm Bodies" PG-13, 1:37, Maui Mall Megaplex.
John Malkovich stars with Teresa Palmer and Nicholas Hoult. Director Jonathan Levine takes audiences on a comedic romp laced with horror and romance in this film about R (a highly unusual zombie), who saves Julie from an attack. The two form a relationship that sets in motion a sequence of events that might transform the entire lifeless world.
"Zero Dark Thirty" R, 2:37, Maui Mall Megaplex.
For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. "Zero Dark Thirty" reunites the Oscar-winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal ("The Hurt Locker") for the story of history's greatest manhunt for the world's most dangerous man.
* Movie listings are subject to last-minute changes. For updates, visit www.mauigateway.com/~rw/movie/.
