Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Saturday, November 23, 2024 72° Today's Paper


Movies CalendarTGIF

Movies: ‘Florence Foster Jenkins,’ ‘Gleason,’ ‘Pete’s Dragon’

BBC FILMS

Hugh Grant and Meryl Streep star as New York socialites in “Florence Foster Jenkins.”

OPENING TODAY

‘Anthropoid’ **

Two Czech operatives parachute into their occupied homeland intending to assassinate SS officer Reinhard Heydrich, the Reich’s third in command behind Hitler and Himmler. With Cillian Murphy, Jamie Dornan and Charlotte Le Bon. Written by Sean Ellis and Anthony Frewin. Directed by Ellis. (R, 2:00) At Kapolei

‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ *

Meryl Streep stars as a New York socialite in the 1940s who pursues her dream of being a great singer — despite possessing a terrible voice. With Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg. Written by Nicholas Martin. Directed by Stephen Frears. (PG-13, 1:50)

‘Gleason’ ***

A documentary chronicles former NFL lineman Steve Gleason’s battle with ALS. With Michel Varisco, Scott Fujita and Drew Brees. Written and directed by Clay Tweel. (R, 1:50) At Kapolei

‘Indignation’

(No star rating)

In 1951 Ohio, a young Jewish man risks his military deferment by pursuing an attractive classmate and butting heads with a college dean. With Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon and Tracy Letts. Written and directed by James Schamus, based on the Philip Roth novel. (R, 1:50) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8

‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’

(Not reviewed)

Chinese remake of the 1997 American film of the same name that starred Julia Roberts. With Shu Qi, Feng Shaofeng, Victoria Song, Ye Qing and Rhydian Vaughan. Directed by Chen Feihong. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (NR, 1:31) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘Operation Chromite’

(Not reviewed)

Liam Neeson plays Gen. Douglas MacArthur in this story about the Battle of Incheon, which was the turning point of the Korean War. With Jung-jae Lee and Bum-soo Lee. Directed by John Lee. (NR, 1:55) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Pearlridge West

‘Our Little Sister’

(No star rating)

When their long-absent father dies, three adult Japanese sisters take in their 13-year-old half sister. With Haruka Ayase, Masami Nagasawa, Kaho and Suzu Hirose. Written and directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. In Japanese with English subtitles. (PG, 2:06) At Kahala 8

‘Pete’s Dragon’ ***

A skeptical forest ranger (Bryce Dallas Howard) in the Pacific Northwest meets a young boy (Oakes Fegley) who claims to be friends with a large-winged reptile in this reimagining of the 1977 film. With Wes Bentley. Written by David Lowery and Toby Halbrooks, based on a screenplay by Malcolm Marmorstein. Directed by Lowery. (PG, 1:43)

‘Sausage Party’ **1/2

A supermarket meat byproduct leads other foodstuffs on an existential quest in this R-rated animated comedy. Voices of Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig and Jonah Hill. Written by Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir; story by Rogen, Goldberg and Hill. Directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiern. (R, 1:29)

NOW PLAYING

‘Bad Moms’ **

Overworked and stressed out, a trio of mothers sets out to free themselves from straitjacketed upright behavior. With Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn and Christina Applegate. Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. (R, 1:41)

‘Cafe Society’

(No star rating)

Writer-director Woody Allen’s 1930s-style romantic comedy follows the adventures of a young man from the Bronx (Jesse Eisenberg) making his way among the swells in Hollywood and Manhattan. With Jeannie Berlin and Steve Carell. (PG-13, 1:36) At Kahala 8

‘Dark Horse’ ***

The inhabitants of a small Welsh mining village band together to breed a champion racehorse in this documentary. Written and directed by Louise Osmond. (PG, 1:25) At Koko Marina

‘Finding Dory’ ***1/2

Nemo, Marlin and the forgetful blue tang must cross an ocean to find her family in this sequel to “Finding Nemo.” Voices of Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks. Directed by Andrew Stanton; co-director Angus MacLane. Imax 3-D. (PG-13, 1:43) At Ward Stadium with Titan XC

‘Ghostbusters’ ***

Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones have chemistry to burn in a cheerful summer lark as the new generation of paranormal investigators out to save the world from supernatural baddies. Written by Paul Feig and Katie Dippold, based on the 1984 film written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Directed by Feig. Imax 3D. (PG-13, 1:56) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party’

(Not reviewed)

Right-wing filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza gives his take on the record of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and challenges the assertions of progressive politics. (PG-13, 1:47) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘How to be Yours’

(Not reviewed)

Romantic comedy featuring Bea Alonzo as a cook who aspires to work in a high-end restaurant and Gerald Anderson as a sales agent. In Filipino with English subtitles. (NR, 1:55) At Kapolei and Pearlridge West

‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ ***

In this comedy with serious undertones, written and directed by Taika Waititi (“What We Do in the Shadows”), a rebellious Maori city kid gets a second chance with a family in the New Zealand countryside, but circumstances send him and his foster father on the run. With Sam Neill, Julian Dennison and Rachel House. Based on a book by Barry Crump. (PG-13, 1:41) At Kahala 8

‘Ice Age: Collision Course’ *

Scrat’s back chasing that acorn and sets off a chain of cosmic events that threatens the world he and his friends know. Voices by Ray Romano, John Leguizamo and Denis Leary. Directed by Michael Thurmeier and Galen Chu. (PG, 1:34)

‘Jason Bourne’ **1/2

Matt Damon steps back into the role of the rogue CIA agent for this fifth installment. With Julia Stiles and Alicia Vikander. Written by Paul Greengrass and Christopher Rouse, inspired by the “Bourne” series created by Robert Ludlum. Directed by Greengrass. (PG-13, 2:03)

‘Lights Out’ ***

A young woman and her brother confront a terrifying entity that lies in wait in the dark. With Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman and Alexander DiPersia. Written by Eric Heisserer, based on the short film by David F. Sandberg. Directed by Sandberg. (PG-13, 1:21) At Windward Stadium 10

‘Nerve’ ***

A high school student reluctantly joins a popular online game and becomes trapped in an escalating series of dangerous actions. With Emma Roberts, Dave Franco and Emily Meade. Written by Jessica Sharzer, based on the novel by Jeanne Ryan. Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman. (PG-13, 1:36)

‘Nine Lives’

(No star review)

An uptight businessman finds himself trapped in the body of the family cat and must learn to be more human to escape. With Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner and Malina Weissman. Written by Matt Alen, Caleb Wilson, Daniel Atoniazzi and Ben Shiffrin. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. (PG, 1:27)

‘The Secret Life of Pets’ ***

An animated comedy about what our dogs and cats do while we’re at work or school. Voices of Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet and Kevin Hart. Written by Brian Lynch, Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. Directed by Chris Renaud; co-director Yarrow Cheney. (PG, 1:30)

‘Star Trek Beyond’ ***

The crew of the Enterprise travels to deepest space and is challenged by an inscrutable new foe. With Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Idris Elba. Written by Simon Pegg, Doug Jung, Roberto Orci, John D. Payne and Patrick McKay. Directed by Justin Lin. Imax 3D. (PG-13, 2:02)

‘Suicide Squad’ *1/2

The best of the worst in villainy are recruited by the government to take on an unstoppable enemy. With Will Smith, Jared Leto and Margot Robbie. Written and directed by David Ayer, based on characters from DC Comics. Imax 3D. (PG-13, 2:10)

‘Train to Busan’ ***1/2

Passengers on a bullet train bound for the South Korean resort fend off zombies as a deadly virus spreads across the nation. With Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-Mi and Ma Dong-Seok. Directed by Yeon Sang-Ho. In Korean with English subtitles. (NR, 1:58) At Pearlridge West

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Turner Classic Movies presents: ‘Animal House’

2 and 7 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $13 (R, 2:00)

National Lampoon’s 1978 classic comedy about fraternity students returns to the big screen.

Almeida Theatre: ‘Richard III’

2 p.m. Wednesday at Kahala 8, $20 (NR, 3:30)

Shakespeare’s most notorious villain comes to the big screen with Ralph Fiennes in the title role and Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Margaret.

‘Rifftrax Live: Mothra’

8 p.m. Thursday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $13 (PG-13, 2:00)

Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy are back cracking jokes at the 1961 monster movie.

ARTHOUSE

DORIS DUKE THEATRE

Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St. (532-8768, honolulumuseum.org); $10, $8 members

The 27th annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival

Runs through Aug. 28. Screenings: $12 online presale, $15 at the door. Tickets, info: 808ne.ws/2aGCCUw.

Red-carpet event, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday with hosted bar, cocktails, food and entertainment by DJ Globes, with an appearance by VIP delegates and filmmakers, included in All-Access Festival Pass, $150.

>> ‘Made in Bangkok’

6:15 p.m. today, followed by Q&A with director Flavio Florencio

Documentary about a Mexican transgender opera singer who yearns to have gender reassignment surgery but has to win the Miss International Queen beauty pageant to make it happen. In Spanish with English subtitles. (2015, Mexico/Thailand, 1:15)

>> ‘Other People’

8 p.m. today, followed by Q&A with director Chris Kelly and actor John Early

As a struggling and newly single New York comedy writer returns to Sacramento to help his sick mother, he pretends everything is OK although he feels like a stranger in his own childhood home. (2016, 1:37)

>> ‘Suicide Kale’

3 p.m. Sunday, followed by Q&A with writer/producer/actor Brittani Nichols.

A simple lunch erupts into a fiasco after a suicide note is discovered in the home of happily married couple Billie and Jordan. (2015, 1:18)

>> ‘Retake’

5 p.m. Sunday, followed by Q&A with director Nick Corporon

A lonely middle-aged man heads to San Francisco to find a young male companion. He hires Adam, an escort, to accompany him to the Grand Canyon and a relationship breaks out.

>> ‘Spa Night’

7 p.m. Sunday, followed by Q&A with director Andrew Ahn and actor Joe Seo

The dreams and realities of a Korean-American family are explored and filled with the overlapping struggles of personal desire, disillusionment and a sense of tradition.

MOVIE MUSEUM

3566 Harding Ave. (735-8771); $5, $4 members

‘Daredevil in the Castle’

11 a.m. and 5 p.m. today; 1:30 and 7 p.m. Monday

In this samurai epic set 14 years after the Battle of Sekigahara, Mohei travels to Osaka looking for work and is called into service for the Toyotomi rebels by Lady Ai in an effort to prevent war as they go up against the Tokugawa forces. For ages 12 and older. (1961, Japan, 1:35)

‘Whirlwind’ (‘Shikonmado — Dai tatsumaki’)

12:45 and 6:45 p.m. today; 3:15 and 8:45 p.m. Monday

After Osaka Castle falls into the hands of the Tokugawa army, defeated Toyotomi loyalists are left to face the effects of social change brought on by civil war. For ages 12 and older. (1964, Japan, 1:46)

‘Dr. Akagi’ (‘Kanzo Sensei’)

2:45 and 8:45 p.m. today

Dr. Akagi is the only family doctor available for miles in a small Japanese harbor town in 1945. While the townsfolk consider him a quack for diagnosing all of his patients with hepatitis, a prostitute, a drug-addicted surgeon and others know that Akagi really is a hero. For ages 15 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1998, Japan, 2:08)

‘A Hologram for the King’

11 a.m. and 2:15, 4, 5:45 and 9 p.m. Saturday

This adaptation of Dave Eggers’ novel is about a salesman who can’t even pay for his daughter’s college tuition and risks everything to sell IT services to the king of Saudi Arabia, giving him the chance to renew his life far away from home. (2016, U.K./France/Germany/U.S./Mexico, 1:38)

‘The Battle of Sekigahara’ (‘Aoi Tokugawa Sandai’)

12:45 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; noon and 5:30 p.m. Monday

This historical drama focuses on a battle on Oct. 21, 1600. Politics and battlefield strategies that changed the course of Japanese history when the death of a warlord caused two factions to battle for supremacy. For ages 12 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (2000, Japan, 1:24)

‘Marguerite’

11 a.m. and 1:15, 3:30 and 8:45 p.m. Sunday

A wealthy matron and aspiring diva makes it to the spotlight despite a horrible singing voice in this film set in 1920s Paris and inspired by Florence Foster Jenkins. Rated R. In French with English subtitles. (2015, France/Czech Republic/Belgium, 2:09)

‘Barefoot Gen’ (‘Hadashi no Gen’)

5:45 p.m. Sunday

Animated adaptation of the manga about a young Hiroshima farm boy and his family during the nuclear attack by the U.S. and the devastating consequences of war. For ages 12 and older. (1983, Japan, 1:23)

‘Barefoot Gen 2’ (‘Hadashi no Gen 2’)

7:15 p.m. Sunday

Three years after the Hiroshima bombing, Gen joins a group of homeless kids to face the harsh realities of postwar Japan. For ages 12 and older. (1986, Japan, 1:25)

‘Manhattan Night’

11 a.m. and 3:15, 5:15 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday

Adaptation of Colin Harrison’s “Manhattan Nocturne” in which a New York writer is seduced by a beautiful woman into investigating the unsolved mystery of her husband’s death. With Adrien Brody and Jennifer Beals. Rated R. (2016, 1:53)

‘The Good, the Bad, the Weird’

1 and 7:15 p.m. Thursday

Action comedy homage to Sergio Leone’s classic Western set in the 1930s finds The Bad stealing a treasure map and The Weird getting in the way, with The Good, a bounty hunter, going after both of them. Mayhem erupts when Manchurian bandits pursue all three. Rated R. In Korean, Mandarin and Japanese with subtitles. (2008, South Korea, 2:10)

Leave a Reply