At the Movies: ‘Austenland,’ ‘Flu,’ ‘Riddick’
Jennifer Coolidge, left, Keri Russell and Georgia King star in ‘Austenland,’ in which a woman obsessed with Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ spends time at an English resort in hopes of meeting her perfect man. –Sony
OPENS TODAY
‘Austenland’
A single 30-something secretly obsessed with Jane Austen spends her life savings on a trip to an English resort where fans of the author live out their romantic fantasies. With Keri Russell, J.J. Feild and Bret McKenzie. (Los Angeles Times) At Kahala 8 (PG-13, 97 minutes)
‘Flu’
When an unknown virus begins sweeping the Korean peninsula, medical professionals rush to find the sole survivor who may hold the secret to a cure. With Jang Hyuk, Su Ae and Park Min-ha. In Korean with English subtitles. (Los Angeles Times) At Pearlridge West (not rated, 122 minutes)
‘Instructions Not Included’
After a former fling leaves a baby on his doorstep and disappears, an Acapulco playboy ends up an unlikely single father in Los Angeles — until the girl’s mother shows up out of the blue six years later. With Eugenio Derbez, Jessica Lindsey and Loreto Peralta. (Los Angeles Times) At Pearl Highlands Stadium 12 and Ward Stadium 16 (PG-13, 115 minutes)
‘Riddick’
Vin Diesel reprises his role as the antihero/escaped convict Riddick in the latest saga after “Pitch Black” in 2000 and “The Chronicles of Riddick” in 2004, which finds him left for dead on a scorching planet and fending off alien predators in a fight for his life. His only hope of staying alive is to set off an emergency beacon that will send mercenaries his way. The problem is, they also want him dead. (R, 103 minutes)
‘Short Term 12′
This film, directed by Maui native Destin Creton, mostly takes place inside a foster-care facility, which has a special atmosphere. The opening scene sets up the story effortlessly. The attendants are taking a break, and Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) is regaling his colleagues with an anecdote at his own expense. Through it, we come to understand the rules of this facility. Basically, if the attendants catch a kid trying to escape they can subdue him and bring him back. But once a resident clears the fence, the attendants have no authority. Much of the movie is like that opening. The illusion is that you’re seeing life unfold in this odd place, where deep need barely covers surface levity. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) At Kahala 8 (R, 96 minutes)
‘The Ultimate Life’
In this sequel/prequel to 2007′s “The Ultimate Gift,” based on Jim Stovall’s popular novel, a young man running his grandfather Red Stevens’ foundation discovers his late grandfather’s journal and is transported back to 1941 and experiences firsthand Red Stevens’ rags-to-riches life. Directed by Michael Landon Jr. Stars Peter Fonda and Logan Bartholomew. At Ward Stadium 16 (PG, 109 minutes)
‘One Direction: This is Us’ offers an intimate look at the lives of band members Zayn Malik, left, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan. –Tristar Pictures
OPENS THURSDAY
‘The Family’
Tommy Lee Jones, Robert DeNiro and Michelle Pfeiffer star in this action comedy about a mafia boss and his family who must hide from the mob in France with the help of a witness protection program. At Dole Cannery 18, Pearl Highlands Stadium 12 and Windward Stadium 10 (R, 111 minutes)
‘Insidious: Chapter 2′
Sequel to the horror film about a mysterious childhood secret that continues to haunt the Lambert family. At Dole Cannery 18, Pearl Highlands Stadium 12 and Windward Stadium 10 (PG-13)
LIMITED RELEASE
‘Blackfish’
Unapologetically designed to both inform and affect, Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s delicately lacerating documentary uses the tragic tale of Tilikum, a 12,000-pound bull orca, and his human victims as the backbone of a hypercritical investigation into the marine-park giant Sea World Entertainment. (Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times) At Kahala 8 (PG-13, 93 minutes)
‘Cutie and the Boxer’
Ushio and Noriko Shinohara, both from Japan, met in New York in 1973 — he was a 41-year-old painter and sculptor and she was a 19-year-old student — and have lived there pretty much ever since. Their marriage is the subject of Zachary Heinzerling’s clear-eyed and touching documentary, which uses their work as background for exploring a complex, sometimes volatile relationship. At Kahala 8 (A.O. Scott, New York Times) (R, 92 minutes)
‘Drug War’
Hong Kong’s Johnnie To, making his first action film in China, and lead actor Louis Koo are at the top of their game in this thriller about an important link in a drug chain. Rather than face the death penalty after he is captured, the suspect turns informant. Or does he? (G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle) At Pearlridge West (not rated, 107 minutes)
‘Secretly, Greatly’
This South Korean box-office smash is a comedy-drama about North Korean spies who infiltrate a village impersonating a fool, a rocker and a high school student, until devastating orders arrive from the North. At Pearlridge West 16 (not rated, South Korea, 123 minutes)
‘The Spectacular Now’
In a comedy-drama about the ecstasies and risks of imperfect young love, the movie tracks an end-of-school romance between a cool guy named Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) and a shy girl named Aimee Finicky (Shailene Woodley), with surprises that make it distinctive right from the beginning. (Michael Sragow, Orange County, Calif., Register) At Kahala 8 (R, 105 minutes)
‘The Terror Live’
An anchorman must regain control of the “live news” medium within his broadcast studio as he finds himself caught in the middle of a grave situation between a terrorist, who calls in and threatens to set off destructive bombs in Seoul, and bosses, detectives and government officials telling him what to do. At Pearlridge West 16 (not rated, 107 minutes)
‘The United States of Football’
Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Sean Pamphilon’s documentary explores the topic of repetitive trauma and its effects, the challenges faced by youth leagues because of a lack of knowledge or funding, and concerns of parents deciding whether to let their children play football. Features Bob Costas, Mike Ditka, Kyle Turley, Jim Brown, Chris Henry, Malcolm Gladwell and James Harrison. 2 p.m. Sunday at Ward Stadium 16 (PG-13, 101 minutes)
Henri, whose existential moodiness is expressed in gloomy subtitles, is a featured cat in the Internet Cat Video Festival at the Doris Duke Theatre. –Courtesy photo
NOW PLAYING
‘Blue Jasmine’
Woody Allen’s latest stars Cate Blanchett as a woman with a troubled New York financier of a husband (Alec Baldwin), who flees to San Francisco to stay with her sister (Sally Hawkins). Drinking heavily and self-medicating, she is unable to shake a belief in her own entitlement. It’s a leap forward for Allen; in its tonal range and in the depth of its lead character. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) (PG-13, 98 minutes)
‘Closed Circuit’
Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall play two lawyers (and ex-lovers) whose lives become endangered as they get closer and closer to a secret that powerful entities would like to keep under wraps. What’s peculiar about the movie — both a flaw and a virtue — is that neither is trying to do anything of tangible importance. That is, they’re not trying to prevent some terrible event from taking place. They’re really only trying to hold up concepts, but important ones, like honesty and the rule of law. And they’re trying to survive. Also stars Julia Stiles and Jim Broadbent. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) (R, 96 minutes)
‘Despicable Me 2′
Steve Carell returns to voice the once-dastardly mastermind Gru, who is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal. The brilliantly animated sequel leans more on the humor than the heart, especially with a much-expanded role for the jabbering yellow Minions. (Rick Bentley, Fresno, Calif., Bee) (PG, 98 minutes)
‘Elysium’
It is the mid-21st century. Life on Earth is hardly worth living, yet, all the while, in the sky, is a wheel-shaped paradise called Elysium, a beautiful colony built on a satellite. This is where the rich people live, and few others will ever get to visit. The cleverly constructed sci-fi action flick from director Neill Blomkamp (“District 9″) stars Matt Damon as Max and Jodie Foster as Mrs. Delacourt. On Elysium, Delacourt is hatching a political scheme that will thrust her to the center of power. Meanwhile, on Earth, a workplace accident makes it necessary for Max to get to Elysium soon. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) (R, 109 minutes)
‘Getaway’ 1/2
“Getaway” has some of the elements of a good gear-grinder, a B-movie in which a car takes a pivotal role in the cast. The improbable setup: Ethan Hawke stars as disgraced racing driver Brent Magna, whose Bulgarian wife (Rebecca Budig) has been kidnapped. He gets a call and is told to steal a particular armored, camera-packed Mustang (owned by a young woman, played by Selena Gomez, who is taken for the action-packed ride) that he must drive to complete a series of “tasks.” The villain, whose chin stubble and martini-slurping lips are all we see, is played by Jon Voight with a German accent. (Roger Moore, McClatchy Newspapers) (PG-13, 100 minutes)
‘The Grandmaster’
Martial-arts master Ip Man (Tony Leung), who is 40 when the movie opens in 1936 China, practices a style of kung fu called “wing chun,” which is often translated as “beautiful spring.” In the film, his metaphoric season begins with him being called on to demonstrate his style for Gong Baosen (Wang Qingxiang), a grandmaster visiting from the Japanese-controlled north. Having decided to retire, Gong has arrived in Foshan, in the south, for a celebration and an exhibition of the local kung fu talent. His truer intention may be to find the worthiest martial-arts successor. (Manohla Dargis, New York Times) (PG-13, 118 minutes)
‘Jobs’ 1/2
Ashton Kutcher is perfectly convincing in this Steve Jobs biopic, presenting the Apple co-founder as a man best seen from a distance, a coldhearted person who takes pride in his coldness, who sees it as a form of strength. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) (PG-13, 122 minutes)
‘Kick-Ass 2′
A weird mix of the refreshing and the dispiriting, “Kick-Ass 2″ stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the title character, still in high school, who joins a band of would-be superheroes, people as powerless as himself who want to make a difference. Then a group of evil superheroes, led by Chris (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), target Kick-Ass’s new group for death. The trail leads to a very ugly place. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) (R, 107 minutes)
‘Lee Daniels’ The Butler’
Occasionally moving, sweeping in ambition yet often haphazard in execution, Lee Daniels’ film covers more than 80 years of American history through the eyes of a White House butler and his family — decades of strife and conflict, from segregation to the election of Barack Obama. Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker is in the title role, Oscar nominee Oprah Winfrey co-stars, and Oscar-winners Robin Williams, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Vanessa Redgrave have supporting roles. (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle) (PG-13, 132 minutes)
‘Monsters University’ 1/2
Mike and Sulley return in this prequel to “Monsters, Inc.,” looking back on their college days, when they weren’t necessarily the best of friends. This Pixar feature is far more conventional, and not nearly as witty as the original. The 3-D animation takes the art form to a new level, a few sentimental moments connect and the climax is a humdinger. But with the bar set so high by the first film, this can’t help but feel like a letdown. (Roger Moore, McClatchy Newspapers) (G, 110 minutes)
‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’
The first in an aspiring film franchise based on Cassandra Clare’s series of fantasy novels for young adults has rising actress Lily Collins playing Clary, an average teen who discovers that she’s actually a “shadowhunter,” or half-angel, half-human warrior. Clary must rise to the occasion when her mother is kidnapped. As if saving her mother weren’t challenging enough, Clary finds herself a major figure in a pitched battle between good and evil. (Associated Press) (PG-13, 130 minutes)
‘One Direction: This Is Us’
An intimate behind-the-scenes look while on tour with Zayn, Liam, Harry, Louis and Niall, who make up the global phenomenon and British boy band One Direction, a group assembled in 2010 by Simon Cowell on his British television show “The X Factor.” (PG, 102 minutes)
‘Percy Jackson: A Sea of Monsters’ 1/2
In a film based on Rick Riordan’s best-selling book series, Percy, the son of Poseidon, and his friends go on a fantasy journey through the Sea of Monsters on a quest to find the magical Golden Fleece. (PG, 110 minutes)
‘Planes’
Disney’s newest film, “from above the world of ‘Cars,’” is a high-flying animation about Dusty, a crop-duster who aspires to compete in an air race that circles the globe. Can he overcome his shortcomings and fear of heights? (PG, 92 minutes)
‘This Is the End’
Six actor friends find themselves trapped in a house after a series of strange and catastrophic events devastates Los Angeles. James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogan, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson star in this often hilarious and generally irreverent comedy about the biblical apocalypse as seen through the windows of a movie star’s mansion. (Roger Moore, McClatchy Newspapers) (R, 107 minutes)
’2 Guns’
After being set up to take the fall for a high-stakes robbery, two undercover agents (Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg) from competing bureaus form a reluctant partnership. Also stars Edward James Olmos, Bill Paxton and Paula Patton. (Los Angeles Times) (R, 101 minutes)
‘We’re the Millers’
Anchored by breakout performances from Jason Sudeikis and Will Poulter, “Millers” is a raunchy, hilarious and ultimately sweet-natured riff on the tried-and-true road-trip comedy. A pot dealer (Sudeikis) assembles a fake family to help move his stash across the Mexican border in this comedy. With Jennifer Aniston, Ed Helms and Emma Roberts. (Preston Jones, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) (R, 100 minutes)
‘The Wolverine’
Hugh Jackman returns to his famed “X-Men” role in a more contemplative fashion. Logan travels to Japan to bid farewell to a dying acquaintance, only to find himself protecting the life of an heiress, even as he struggles to come to terms with the tragic events of his past. (Gina McIntyre, Los Angeles Times) (PG-13, 126 minutes)
‘The World’s End’
This is the third installment of a comical, sci-fi trilogy following “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz.” Five friends reunite to re-create an epic pub crawl from their youth and don’t realize that an alien invasion is taking place around them. (Star-Advertiser news services) (R, 109 minutes)
‘You’re Next’ 1/2
Crispian (A.J. Bowen) and his girlfriend, Erin (Sharni Vinson), embark on a family reunion getaway, which turns into a grisly murder scene as a gang of masked killers crash the party and invade the remote mansion they’re staying in. Review on D3. (R, 105 minutes)
SPECIAL
‘A Dancer’s Dream: Two Works by Stravinsky’
Recorded live in New York City at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall from June 27 to 29, this film provides a glimpse into Stravinsky’s history with the New York Philharmonic and features music with dance, live animation, puppetry, video and circus arts. 7 p.m. Thursday at Kahala 8 (PG, 115 minutes)
ARTHOUSE
DORIS DUKE THEATRE
Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St., entry on Kinau Street (532-8768); $10, $8 museum members (tickets also available online at www.honolulumuseum.org).
‘Augustine’
1 and 7:30 p.m. today
Dark, sensual drama about the relationship between pioneering 19th-century French neurologist Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot and his teen patient. (2012, France, 102 minutes)
Walker Art Center’s Internet Cat Video Festival
1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 1 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday
The Honolulu event is part of a more-than-20-city tour throughout the U.S. (with a stop in Northern Ireland) that features more than 80 new cat videos organized into awards-style categories such as comedy, drama, documentary, foreign, musical and lifetime achievement. In 2012, the Minneapolis center launched the event, uniting online communities and drawing a crowd of more than 10,000 at the center.
» Opening-night cat costume contest Saturday: Come dressed as your own cat or as one of the Internet “celebri-cats.” Winner receives a pair of film tickets and a poster.
» Instagram cat video contest Saturday through Thursday: Upload the cutest, wackiest or funniest cat videos for a chance to win a basic museum membership. Tag videos with #catvidfestHI.
MOVIE MUSEUM
3566 Harding Ave. (735-8771); $5, $4 members; reservations recommended
‘Modigliani of Montparnasse’ (‘Les amants de Montparnasse’)
12:30, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. today; and 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Monday
Set in 1919, this film chronicles the final years of young, handsome and broke painter Amadeo Modigliani (Gerard Philipe, suffering from a serious illness during filming), a drunkard who lets alcohol inspire his art and ruin his relationships with women until Jeanne comes along. For ages 13 and older. (1958, France/Italy, 104 minutes)
‘Balibo’
2:30 and 6:30 p.m. today
It is November 1975 when Australian foreign correspondent Roger East (Anthony LaPaglia) is recruited to run the East Timor News Agency, something he agrees to do only if he is allowed to investigate the disappearance of five Australian journalists during an Indonesian invasion four weeks earlier. This film won 13 awards. For ages 15 and older. (2009, Australia, 111 minutes)
‘Stories We Tell’
Noon, 3:30, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday
In this documentary, actress Sarah Polley investigates a family mystery of her own, searching for clues from zany and even contradicting recollections of what she had been told about her Canadian theatrical parents. She essentially puts the pieces together to learn “how she literally came into being.” Rated PG-13. (2012, Canada, 108 minutes)
‘The Woman in the Rumor’ (‘Uwasa no onna’)
2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Kenji Mizoguchi’s newly restored contemporary drama, set in Kyoto during the 1950s, about a madam whose daughter returns home and ends up romancing her mother’s young beau. For ages 12 and older. (1954, Japan, 84 minutes)
‘The Dreamer’ (‘Sang pemimpi’)
Noon, 4:30 and 9 p.m. Sunday
Humorous sequel to “Laskar Pelangi” focuses on Ikal, now a high schooler in the 1980s, who, along with his adopted brother and a friend, get into tons of trouble as they travel down the rocky road that leads to adulthood. For ages 12 and older. (2009, Indonesia, 122 minutes)
‘Laskar Pelangi’ (‘The Rainbow Troops’)
2:15 and 6:45 p.m. Sunday
Adaptation of Andrea Hirata’s best-seller about a dilapidated primary school, that almost shut down had it not been for some adorable kids who enrolled. This film won two awards and broke Indonesian box-office records. For all ages. (2008, Indonesia, 124 minutes)
‘Mitsuko Delivers’ (‘Hara ga kore nande’)
12:30, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Monday
Although 30-something, single and pregnant, funny and quirky Mitsuko is not discouraged and refuses to let anything bring her down. She helps everyone around her, whether they like it or not. For ages 12 and older. (2011, Japan, 109 minutes)
‘One Summer of Happiness’ (‘Hon dansade en sommar’)
Noon, 3:45 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday
A 19-year-old boy from the city falls in love with a 17-year-old farm girl while visiting his uncle’s farm for the summer. This famous banned-in-America romance was an award-winner at the Berlin and Cannes film festivals. For ages 13 and older. (1951, Sweden, 103 minutes)
‘A Spot of Bother’ (‘Une petite zone de turbulences’)
1:45, 5:30 and 9:15 p.m. Thursday
The anxiety of a recently retired man with too much time on his hands throws his family’s life off-kilter as he learns his wife is cheating and his son is gay. This comedy is for ages 13 and older. (2009, France, 108 minutes)
MONDAY MOVIE CAFE
TheVenue, 1146 Bethel St. (436-4326); $10, $5 students
‘The 10 Conditions of Love’
7 p.m. Monday
Follow the struggles of Rebiya Kadeer, a galvanizing leader of Uighur (China’s Muslim minority), who, while living in exile in America, continues her human rights campaign even as her children remain imprisoned in China as a result. (2009, Australia, 58 minutes)