OPENED WEDNESDAY

‘The Hateful Eight’ ***1/2

Shortly after the Civil War, an octet of dangerous strangers convenes at a Wyoming stagecoach stopover during a blizzard in writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s Western. With Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Channing Tatum. (R, 3:02)

OPENING FRIDAY

‘Beauty and the Bestie’

(Not reviewed)

A policeman seeks the help from his former best friend in a case involving a beauty pageant. With Ellen Adarna, Tess Antonio and Jovit Baldivino. In Filipino with English subtitles. (Not rated, 1:59) At Kapolei and Pearlridge West

‘The Himalayas’

(Not reviewed)

Based on a true story about mountain climber Hong Gil Um’s (Jung Min Hwang) trek up Mount Everest to find a fellow climber. In Korean with English subtitles. (Not rated, 2:04) At Pearlridge West

NOW PLAYING

‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip’ *

Alvin, Simon and Theodore must get to Miami in three days to stop Dave from proposing to his new girlfriend. (PG, 1:26)

‘The Big Short’ ****

Angered by the greed of corporations and anticipating the housing bubble, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt set out to make the big banks pay. With Finn Whitrock, Marisa Tomei, Karen Gillan and Melissa Leo. Written by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay, based upon the book by Michael Lewis. Directed by McKay. (R, 2:10)

‘Carol’ ****

Cate Blanchett stars as a married woman who falls in love with young shopgirl Rooney Mara in 1950s New York, where their relationship is tested by societal conventions. With Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler and Jake Lacy. Written by Phyllis Nagy, based on the novel “The Price of Salt” by Patricia Highsmith. Directed by Todd Haynes. (R, 1:58) At Kahala 8

‘Concussion’ **1/2

Will Smith stars as a forensic neuropathologist who discovers the first case of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, and challenges the NFL in his battle to reveal the truth. With Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Morse and Albert Brooks. Written and directed by Peter Landesman, based on the GQ article “Game Brain” by Jeanne Marie Laskas. (PG-13, 2:03)

‘Creed’ ***1/2

“Fruitvale Station” star Michael B. Jordan portrays Apollo Creed’s son, who asks his late father’s former rival, Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, to return to boxing as his trainer. With Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad and Anthony Bellew. Directed by Ryan Coogler; written by Coogler and Aaron Covington, based on characters from the “Rocky” series written by Stallone. (PG-13, 2:12)

‘Daddy’s Home’ ***

The world of milquetoast stepdad Will Ferrell is upended when the children’s anarchic biological father, played by Mark Wahlberg, pays a visit. With Linda Cardellini, Thomas Haden Church and Hannibal Buress. Written by Brian Burns, Sean Anders and John Morris. Directed by Anders. (PG-13, 1:36)

‘Danish Girl’ **

Eddie Redmayne stars as an artist who discovers his identity as a woman and becomes a transgender pioneer with the help of his wife and fellow artist in 1920s Copenhagen. With Alicia Vikander, Ben Whishaw, Sebastian Koch, Amber Heard and Matthias Schoenaerts. Written by Lucinda Coxon, based on the book by David Ebershoff. Directed by Tom Hooper. (R, 2:00) At Kahala 8

‘The Good Dinosaur’ **1/2

An apatosaurus makes a human friend in a world where dinosaurs did not go extinct in Pixar’s latest animated film. With the voices of Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand, Steve Zahn, Anna Paquin and Sam Elliott. Directed by Peter Sohn. (PG, 1:40)

‘Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2’ ***

Jennifer Lawrence is back for the fourth and final film in the young adult franchise, which pits Katniss and friends against President Snow as they attempt to liberate the citizens of Panem. With Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Donald Sutherland. Written by Peter Craig and Danny Strong; adaptation by Suzanne Collins, based on her novel “Mockingjay.” Directed by Francis Lawrence. (PG-13, 2:17)

‘In the Heart of the Sea’ **

Ron Howard directed this epic about the 1820 battle between the whaling ship Essex and a mammoth whale off the coast of New England that inspired “Moby-Dick.” With Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw and Brendan Gleeson. Written by Charles Leavitt; story by Leavitt, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver; based on the book “In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex,” by Nathaniel Philbrick. (PG-13, 2:01) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘Joy’ **

Writer-director David O. Russell reunites with stars Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro in this intergenerational story of a young woman who founds a business dynasty based on a cleaning product. With Edgar Ramirez, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen and Isabella Rossellini. Story by Annie Mumolo and Russell. (PG-13, 2:04)

‘Point Break’ **1/2

Inspired by the 1991 surfer crime movie about an FBI agent infiltrating a gang of extreme athletes who use their feats to pull off elaborate capers. With Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Delroy Lindo and Ray Winstone. Written by Kurt Wimmer; story by Rick King, W. Peter Iliff and Wimmer; based on the 1991 film. Directed by Ericson Core. (PG-13, 1:53)

‘Sisters’ **

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star as out-of-touch siblings who return to clean out their childhood home, which their parents plan to sell. They decide to throw one last party for old times’ sake. With Maya Rudolph, John Leguizamo, Dianne Wiest and James Brolin. Written by Paula Pell. Directed by Jason Moore. (R, 1:58)

‘Spectre’ **1/2

A cryptic message from his past sends secret agent James Bond on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. With Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz and Lea Seydoux. Written by John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. Directed by Sam Mendes. (PG-13, 2:28) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ ***1/2

Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher return for the latest installment of the space saga as it kicks off another trilogy set in a galaxy far, far away. With Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Written by J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan. Directed by Abrams. (PG-13, 2:16)

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

‘Sherlock: The Abominable Bride’

7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $16

Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch star in the Masterpiece Theatre hit. Includes a feature on the making of the show and a documentary tour of the 221B Baker St. set hosted by co-writer Steven Moffat. (PG-13, 1:50)

‘Elvis: That’s the Way It Is’

7 p.m. Thursday at Kahala 8, $7

A look behind the scenes as the King gets ready for his 1970 opening night in Las Vegas. (PG, 1:49)

ARTHOUSE

DORIS DUKE THEATRE

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

The A-List

Curator Abbie Algar selects the best films released in theaters and festivals throughout 2015.

>> ‘East Side Sushi’

1 p.m. today

Anthony Lucero directs this “foodie gem” about a hardworking Latina single mother who lands a job as a kitchen assistant in a local Japanese restaurant. She secretly observes the chefs in action and teaches herself how to make sushi, but she faces many hurdles as a non-Japanese woman. In Spanish and English with English subtitles. (2014, 1:40)

>> ‘The Assassin’

7:30 p.m. today

Legendary Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien’s Cannes Film Festival award-winner takes place in ninth-century China, when a young woman who was abducted as a child is raised by a nun who trains her in martial arts. After living in exile for 13 years, she returns to her birthplace as an assassin who is ordered to kill her husband-to-be. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (2015, Taiwan/China/Hong Kong/France, 1:47)

>> ‘Theeb’

1 p.m. Saturday

In Naji Abu Nowar’s directorial debut, set in the Arabian Desert in 1916 during the Britain-fueled uprising against the Ottoman Empire, sheikh’s son Theeb seeks to live up to his father’s name in order to survive. In Arabic with English subtitles. (2014, United Arab Emirates/Qatar/Jordan/U.K., 1:40)

Bollywood Film Festival / The Apu Trilogy

Runs Saturday through Feb. 5. Opening-night reception, 6 p.m. Saturday with music by DJ Mr. Nick, a performance by dance troupe Aaja Nachle, henna tattoos by HennaLove Hawaii, food from India Cafe and a screening of “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” at 7:30 p.m., $35, $30 for members; film only, $15, $12 for members.

>> ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’

Bollywood bad-boy Salman Khan plays a spirited man who helps a mute, 5-year-old Pakistani girl reunite with her mother after they are separated on a train ride from India back to Pakistan. In Urdu, Panjabi and Hindi with English subtitles. (2015, India, 2:43)

>> ‘Ok Kanmani’

12:30 p.m. Sunday

Filmmaker Mani Ratnam explores the romantic lives of two Mumbai couples living very different lives. In Tamil with English subtitles. (2015, India, 2:19)

>> ‘Margarita, with a Straw’

4 p.m. Sunday

Coming-of-age film about a young woman with cerebral palsy who leaves India to pursue studies in New York while enduring a journey of self-discovery. In Hindi with English subtitles. (2014, India, 1:40)

>> ‘Dhanak: Rainbow’

7:30 p.m. Sunday

Orphaned and inseparable siblings Pari and her blind younger brother are on their own after an uncle is no longer able to care for them. After seeing a poster with an image of the great Shah Rukh Khan, Pari is convinced this man will help her brother and, together, they set off on a colorful, magical journey. In Hindi with English subtitles. (2015, India, 1:46)

>> ‘Court’

1 p.m. Tuesday

The trial of an elderly folk singer and grassroots organizer becomes a ridiculous show of institutional incompetence with many procedural delays and coached witnesses. Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, this film was India’s official selection for the 2015 Academy Awards and a recipient of 29 international awards. In Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati with English subtitles. (2014, India, 1:56)

>> ‘Waiting’

7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Two strangers form a special connection after meeting in a hospital where their partners lie in comas. Together, they learn to deal with grief and, in the process, discover a new meaning of life. In Hindi with English subtitles. (2015, India, 1:32)

>> ‘Meet the Patels’

1 p.m. Wednesday

True romantic comedy about a 30-something-year-old Indian-American involved in a “love triangle” with the woman of his dreams and, of all people, his parents. In English and Gujarati with English subtitles. (2014, India, 1:28)

>> ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar: Let’s Dance to the Rhythm’

7 p.m. Wednesday

Bardroy Barretto’s musical is based on the lives of Goan jazz musicians Lorna Cordeiro and Chris Perry and explores the bittersweet relationship between a young singer and her music mentor. In Konkani with English subtitles. (2015, India, 2:36)

>> ‘Elizabeth Ekadashi’

1 p.m. Thursday

Two siblings are faced with losing their prized possession — a beloved bicycle named Elizabeth that was handcrafted by their late father — after the bank repossesses their mother’s precious knitting machine. In Marathi with English subtitles. (2014, India, 1:30)

>> ‘Enthiran—Robot’

7 p.m. Thursday

Doctor Vaseegaran successfully creates Chitti, the ultimate android in his own image, which impresses his fiancee, Sana, by rescuing her from a near-mugging. After the doc gives Chitti the gift of human emotion, however, Chitti rebels against his creator. In Tamil with English subtitles. (2010, India, 2:54)

MOVIE MUSEUM

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

‘A Distant Cry From Spring’

11 a.m., and 3:15 and 7:30 p.m. today; 1, 5:15 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday ; and noon, 2:15 and 4:30 p.m. Monday

A young widow, with the help of her 10-year-old son, runs a dairy farm in rural Hokkaido. A mysterious man appears on a stormy evening to help with the birthing of a calf and later offers to work for room and board. The mother and son grow to love this silent man, yet it becomes clear he is hiding something. For ages 10 and older. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1980, Japan, 2:03)

‘De Marathon’

1:15 and 5:30 p.m. today ; and 8:30 p.m. Monday

After learning the owner of their auto repair shop owes over 40,000 Euros in taxes, three car mechanics — all of whom are fat, out-of-shape smokers — decide to raise money by running in the Rotterdam Marathon, but their sponsor imposes a stipulation that they must reach the finish line to get paid. For ages 15 and older. In Dutch with English subtitles. (2012, Netherlands, 1:47)

‘A Walk in the Woods’

11 a.m., and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday

Adaptation of travel writer Bill Bryson’s book about a married man who challenges himself on the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, along with his long-lost friend who is simply looking to stay out of trouble. With Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson and Mary Steenburgen. Rated R. (2015, 1:44)

‘You’re the One’

11 a.m., and 3:15 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

A depressed writer returns to her childhood home in Asturias, where village life reinvigorates her; she returns the favor by sharing her talent with the community. Filmed in black and white. For ages 10 and older. In Spanish with English subtitles. (2000, Spain, 1:48)

‘Dennis P.’

6:45 p.m. Monday

This heist comedy was inspired by the story of real-life thief Dennis Phrommer, who was responsible for the Netherlands’ biggest diamond heist, worth 20 million Euros. For ages 12 and older. In Dutch with English subtitles. (2007, Belgium/Netherlands, 1:33)

>> ‘Spanish Affair’ (‘Ocho apellidos vascos’)

Noon, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday

Romantic comedy about Amaia, a Basque girl who, after being jilted by her groom as she visits Seville for her bridal shower, gets into a squabble with Rafa, an Andalusian waiter who pokes fun at Basque people. After spending a rowdy night together, Rafa finds himself traveling north in search of Amaia, perhaps in search of love. In Spanish and Basque with English subtitles. (2014, Spain, 1:38)

>> ‘Apron Springs’

1:45, 5:15 and 8:45 p.m. Thursday

Food-centric drama about three estranged sisters, two of whom reunite through Indian cuisine while another, a baker, is faced with the homecoming of her pregnant, unmarried daughter. (2008, New Zealand, 1:30)

FRESH CAFE DOWNTOWN

Monday Dinner Theatre, 7 p.m. Monday, 1111 Nuuanu Ave. (436-4326); $5 at the door

‘Thomas Chapin, Night Bird Song’

Emmy-winning filmmaker Stephanie Castillo will be in attendance to present selections from her latest documentary — a musical biography that explores the life of the late jazz musician Thomas Chapin, a master alto sax and flute player who performed in the late ’80s and ’90s. (2014, 0:50)