At the Movies: ‘Lego Movie,’ ‘Monuments Men,’ more
Will Ferrell lends his voice to the evil tyrant Lord Business in the animated “The Lego Movie.” (Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
Wide-release film synopses from the Los Angeles Times.
OPENS FRIDAY, FEB. 7
‘The Lego Movie’
In this animated film, an ordinary Lego figure is mistaken for the person meant to save the world and drafted into a quest to stop an evil tyrant. With the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks and Will Arnett. Written and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. In 3-D. (PG, 1:41)
‘The Monuments Men’
A fact-based drama about an unlikely World War II platoon tasked by FDR with going to Germany to save rare antiques, art and architecture from theft and destruction by the Nazis. With George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray and John Goodman. Written by Clooney and Grant Heslov. Directed by Clooney. PG-13. (PG-13, 1:58)
‘Vampire Academy’ (Not reviewed)
Zoey Dutch (“Beautiful Creatures”) stars as a breed of half-human, half-vampire whose legacy is to protect peaceful, nonviolent vampires living in secret among us mortals. Synopsis by the Miami Herald. (PG-13, 1:44)
Matt Damon, left, and George Clooney are soldiers tasked with saving priceless pieces of art, antiques and architecture from the Nazis in “The Monuments Men.” (Courtesy Columbia Pictures)
NOW PLAYING
‘American Hustle’
Two con artists (Christian Bale, Amy Adams) are compelled to work with a wild federal agent (Bradley Cooper) to concoct a sting targeting New Jersey power brokers and the Mafia in this drama based on the FBI’s Abscam operation of the 1970s. With Jennifer Lawrence. An Oscar nominee. (R, 2:09)
‘The Attorney’
A materialistic tax lawyer (Song Kang-ho) takes up the case of a local teenager (Im Si-wan) falsely accused of a political crime in 1980s South Korea. With Kim Young-ae and Oh Dal-su. Written by Yang Woo-seok and Yoon Hyun-ho. Directed by Yang. In Korean with English subtitles. At Pearlridge West 16 (NR, 2:07)
‘August: Osage County’
When a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, three sisters (Oscar nominee Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson and Juliette Lewis) confront the dysfunctional woman (Meryl Streep, also an Oscar nominee) who raised them. With Ewan McGregor and Chris Cooper. At Kahala 8 (R, 2:10)
‘Bride for Rent’
To receive the trust fund his grandmother set up for him, Rocco Espiritu (Xian Lim) must be married. Rocky (Kim Chiu) responds to his ad for a bride, since she needs the money to provide for her impoverished family. A Filipino comedy directed by Mae Czarina Cruz. At Pearlridge West 16
‘Dallas Buyers Club’
The “inspired by true events” tale of a party-hearty Texas cowboy and self-employed electrician who, in 1985, contracted the AIDS virus. Matthew McConaughey gives a literally transformative performance as this homophobic hell-raiser who won’t accept the doctors’ diagnosis that he has 30 days to live. He proves them wrong, becoming a cash-rich drug dispenser and patients’ rights advocate in the process, in this wild, colorful, compassionate film. An Oscar nominee. At Regal Dole Cannery (R, 1:57)
‘Frozen’
An optimistic princess sets off on a journey with a rugged mountain man to find her sister. With the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad. (PG, 1:48)
‘Frozen Sing-Along’
Disney has released another version of its holiday film about a princess looking for her sister, this time with on-screen lyrics for the audience to sing along to. (See above for synopsis.)
‘Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy’ (Not reviewed)
Vice Ganda plays quadruplets of both sexes and different sexual orientations in this Filipino comedy directed by Wenn V. Deramas. At Pearlridge West 16 (Not rated, 1:45)
‘Gravity’
When their shuttle is destroyed during a routine spacewalk, an astronaut and an engineer are stranded in space. With Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. An Oscar nominee. At Regal Dole Cannery (PG-13, 1:31)
‘The Great Beauty’
Fellini looms large in Paolo Sorrentino’s portrait of Rome in decadent decay. Sorrentino is an exquisite stylist (the opening minutes of his “Il Divo” are pure, blistering cinema), and “The Great Beauty” is manic and overstuffed. But it’s bursting with life. (Literally. It’s got a giraffe.) At Kahala 8 (Not rated, 2:22)
‘Her’
In near-future Los Angeles, a lonely writer trying to recover from a failed relationship downloads an advanced new operating system and begins to fall in love with his virtual companion. With Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Scarlett Johansson. An Oscar nominee. At Kahala 8 (R, 2:06)
‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’
Reluctant hero Bilbo Baggins continues his quest to face the fearsome dragon Smaug and help 13 dwarves reclaim their lost kingdom in this second installment of a trilogy adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” With Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage and Benedict Cumberbatch. At Regal Dole Cannery (PG-13, 2:40)
‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’
The young warrior and reluctant revolutionary Katniss Everdeen returns to the arena for another battle to the death in this second film of a series adapting Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” book trilogy. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Woody Harrelson. At Regal Dole Cannery (PG-13, 2:26)
Aaron Eckhart is the creature created by Dr. Frankenstein in the action-fantasy movie “I, Frankenstein.” (Courtesy Lakeshore Entertainment)
‘I, Frankenstein’ (Not reviewed)
Two centuries after his creation by Dr. Frankenstein, the creature Adam finds himself in a supernatural war over the fate of humanity. With Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski and Miranda Otto. Written and directed by Stuart Beattie. (PG-13, 1:32)
‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit’
A young CIA analyst uncovers an international terrorist plot to collapse the U.S. economy and heads into the field to prevent it from happening. With Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh and Keira Knightley. (PG-13, 1:46)
‘Labor Day’
On a back-to-school shopping trip, a reclusive single mother (Kate Winslet) and her 13-year-old son (Gattlin Griffith) encounter and take in a man (Josh Brolin) in need, who turns out to be an escaped con, but also bonds with both. With Tobey Maguire. Written and directed by Jason Reitman. (PG-13, 1:51)
Kate Winslet, left, is a single mother who takes in a man in need, Josh Brolin, who turns out to be an escaped convict in “Labor Day.” (Courtesy Paramount Pictures)
‘The Legend of Hercules’ (Not reviewed)
Betrayed by his stepfather, the mythical Greek hero Hercules (Kellan Lutz) is sold into slavery because of a forbidden love and must fight for his life and his kingdom. With Scott Adkins and Liam McIntyre. (PG-13, 1:39)
‘Lone Survivor’
Four Navy SEALs (Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster), whose mission is to take down an al-Qaida operative, end up being ambushed in Afghanistan’s mountains and are faced with long odds. (R, 2:01)
‘Miss Granny’
Korean comedy about a 74-year-old woman (Na Moon Hee) who, thanks to a special photographer, finds herself to be 24 years old again (as portrayed by Shim Eun Kyung) after she has her portrait taken. Directed by Hwang Dong Hyuk. At Pearlridge West 16
‘The Nut Job’
In this animated film, a mischievous squirrel sets out to rob the town’s biggest nut shop to feed himself and his pals for the winter. With the voices of Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson and Katherine Heigl. (PG, 1:26)
‘Oscar-nominated shorts: animated’
A program showcasing this year’s Academy Award-nominated animated short films. Multiple actors, writers and directors. At Kahala 8 (NR, 1:50)
‘Oscar-nominated shorts: live-action’
A program showcasing this year’s Academy Award-nominated live-action short films. At Kahala 8 (NR, 1:48)
‘Philomena’
The story of an Irish woman who asks a journalist to help her track down a son she was forced by her Catholic family to give away, starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. Directed by Stephen Frears. An Oscar nominee. At Kahala 8 (R, 1:35)
‘Ride Along’
In an effort to prove himself worthy, a fast-talking security guard goes for a ride-along with his girlfriend’s brother, a hotheaded Atlanta cop, and gets mixed up in a case. With Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, John Leguizamo and Bruce McGill. (PG-13, 1:40)
‘Saving Mr. Banks’
A biographical drama about the quest by Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) to acquire the screen rights to “Mary Poppins” from reluctant novelist P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson). With Paul Giamatti and Jason Schwartzman. (PG-13, 2:05)
‘The Suspect’
After being abandoned during a mission, a top secret agent in North Korea sets out to find his missing wife and daughter, uncover the truth and exact revenge. With Gong Yoo, Park Hee-soon and Cho Seong-ha. In Korean with English subtitles. At Pearlridge West 16 (Not rated, 2:17)
‘That Awkward Moment’
Three best friends simultaneously find themselves questioning where their recent relationships are headed. With Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan and Imogen Poots. Written and directed by Tom Gormican. (R, 1:45)
‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?’ (Not reviewed)
An introverted optometrist (Richie Jen) with a suppressed gay past begins to question his marriage when his wife (Mavis Fan) wants to have another baby, while his sister (Kimi Hsia) has reservations about her own impending nuptials. Written and directed by Arvin Chen. In Mandarin with English subtitles. At Pearlridge West 16 (NR, 1:46)
‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
Martin Scorsese reunites with Leonardo DiCaprio for this adaptation of Jordan Belfort’s memoir surrounding his indulgent ride as a crooked banker in the 1990s. An Oscar nominee. (R, 2:45)
’12 Years a Slave’
In the antebellum United States, a free black man from upstate New York is abducted and sold into slavery, forcing him to fight to survive. With Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch and Paul Dano. An Oscar nominee. (R, 2:14)
Zac Efron, left, and Imogen Poots star in the relationship comedy “That Awkward Moment.” (Courtesy Film District)
SPECIAL
The Met: ‘Rusalka’
Dvorak’s lyrical fairy tale stars Renee Fleming in the title role of the story of a water spirit’s tragic romance with a human prince. Conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Also stars Dolora Zajick, Emily Magee and John Relyea. 12:55 p.m. Saturday at Regal Dole Cannery. ($24)
National Theatre Live: ‘Coriolanus’
Donmar Warehouse’s production of Shakespeare’s tragedy of political manipulation and revenge. 7 p.m. Thursday at Kahala 8. ($20)
Oscar classics: ‘Casablanca’
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman classic about an ex-freedom fighter who is asked to help a couple escape to America, and finds that the wife was his true love who deserted him years earlier. Winner of the 1944 Academy Awards for best picture, best director and best writing, screenplay. 7 p.m. Thursday (at Consolidated Ward Stadium. ($7)
ARTHOUSE
DORIS DUKE THEATRE
Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St. (532-8768, honolulumuseum.org); $10, $8 for members.
Third Annual Honolulu African American Film Festival: ‘Butterfly Rising’
1 p.m. today; 4 p.m. Sunday; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
A singer escapes the grief of her brother’s death by embarking on a road trip with a scandalous new woman in town, encountering the mythical “Lazarus of the Butterflies.” (2012, 1:33)
Double Feature: 7:30 p.m. today and Tuesday; and 1 p.m. Wednesday
» ‘Gideon’s Army’
With the help of the head of Southern Public Defender Training Center (now known as Gideon’s Promise), three young public defenders in the Deep South challenge assumptions, braving long hours, low pay and staggering caseloads. Sponsored by the African American Lawyers Association of Hawaii. (2013, 1:36)
» ’16 Seeds’
An inspiring short film about efforts to “reclaim food and our connections to it.” (2012, 0:20)
‘The Trials of Muhammad Ali’
1 p.m. Saturday
Sports documentary about the great boxing legend, who risked fame and fortune to follow his faith and conscience. Directed by Bill Siegel. (2013, 1:32)
‘Red, White, Black and Blue’
4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday
Cultures mesh when a group of 38 American high school students travels to New Zealand to participate in a rugby-training regime. (2012, New Zealand, 1:21)
‘Charles Lloyd: Arrows Into Infinity’
7:30 p.m. Saturday and Thursday; and 1 p.m. Tuesday
This film, co-directed by Lloyd’s painter/filmmaker wife, explores the story of the legendary jazz saxophonist starting from his Memphis roots, counterculture crossovers in the ’60s, seclusion in the ’70s and comeback in the ’80s, including collaborations with the Beach Boys and Charles Bukowski. (2013, 1:54)
‘Home’
7:30 p.m. Sunday
A father (Gbenga Akinnagbe) afflicted with mental illness dreams of reconnecting with his estranged son. (2013, 1:52)
‘The Legend of Cool “Disco” Dan’
Free sneak-peek screening, 7:30 p.m. Monday, with an introduction by graffiti historian Roger Gastman. Held in conjunction with POW! WOW! Hawaii and the Honolulu African American Film Festival. Register online at goo.gl/mgK4Nt.
Documentary explores the cultural and political scene of Washington, D.C., during the ’80s through the eyes of graffiti legend Cool “Disco” Dan. Narrated by former Black Flag frontman and D.C. native Henry Rollins. (2012, 1:26)
MOVIE MUSEUM
3566 Harding Ave. (735-8771); $5, $4 members
‘Mother of George’
Noon, 3:45 and 7:30 p.m. today
Complications that arise from a young bride’s infertility reverberate. Rated R. In English and Yoruba with subtitles. (2013, Nigeria/U.S., 1:47)
‘Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity’
2, 5:45 and 9:30 p.m. today; 4 p.m. Sunday; and noon, 3:15 and 6:30 p.m. Monday
A daughter in Vancouver’s Chinese community experiments with Taoist magic spells to help her single mom, but they don’t quite work as intended. For ages 12 and older. In English and Cantonese with subtitles. (2002, Canada, 1:30)
‘Dallas Buyers Club’
Noon, 2, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday
A hard-living Texan diagnosed with HIV in 1985 turns to illegal ways to help him, and others, survive. With Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto. This film, based on a true story, is nominated for six Oscars. Rated R. (2013, 1:57)
‘Puppe, Icke & Der Dicke’ (‘Doll, the Fatso and Me’)
6 p.m. Saturday; and 1:45, 5 and 8:15 p.m. Monday
Bruno, an enormous mute, offers an unemployed, broke and grumpy dwarf some beer to drive him to Berlin, and on the way they are joined by a blind and pregnant beauty looking to find the father of her baby. For ages 17 and older. In German with English subtitles. (2012, Germany, 1:27)
‘Last Vegas’
Noon, 2, 6 and 8 p.m. Sunday
Four lifelong friends in their 60s reunite in Las Vegas to celebrate the wedding of the last bachelor. With Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline. Rated PG-13. (2013, 1:45)
‘Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon’ (‘Di Renjie: Shen du long wang’
Noon, 4:15 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday
A sea dragon decimates the imperial navy and a strange reptilian man begins to terrorize the capital, marking Detective Dee’s first case. For ages 12 and older. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (2013, China, 2:14)
‘House of 72 Tenants’ (‘Chat sup yee ga fong hak’)
2:30 and 6:45 p.m. Thursday. This film will be presented by Jaynie Chong, an early ’70s employee of the Shaw Brothers’ Singapore studio; a Q-and-A will follow.
This comedy “celebrates the downtrodden pulling together against a corrupt system” and is set in a run-down tenement slum ruled by a tough landlady. The Hong Kong film broke box-office records. For ages 10 and older. In Cantonese with English subtitles. (1973, Hong Kong, 1:38)
MONDAY MOVIE CAFE
Cupola Theatre, Honolulu Design Center, second floor, 1250 Kapiolani Blvd. (436-4326); $10, $5 students
‘Grass’
7 p.m. Monday, followed by post-film discussion with Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii
Woody Harrelson narrates a film on the history of federal policies and social attitudes toward marijuana. (1999, Canada, 1:32)
FILM FRIDAY
Coffee Talk, 3601 Waialae Ave., Kaimuki. (737-7444); free
‘Jackie Claxton and the Battles from Beyond’
7 p.m. today
Local indie film directed by Jeff Katts about a girl who must save the universe from the forces of evil. Parental discretion advised. (2013, 1:46, not rated)