Wide-release film synopses from the Los Angeles Times. For reviews of movies opening this weekend, see the Today section.
OPENING FRIDAY
“The Achy Breaky Hearts”
(Not reviewed)
Romantic comedy about 30-something Chinggay (Jodi Sta. Maria), a jewelry shop manager, caught between her ex-boyfriend Frank (Richard Yap) and Ryan, a customer (Ian Veneracion). Directed by Antoinette Jadaone. In Filipino with English subtitles. (NR, 3:23) At Kapolei and Pearlridge West
“Foolish Plans”
(Not reviewed)
Dark comedy about three friends looking for love and fortune. With Wang Ning, Xiu Rui and Wang Ou. Directed by Jiang Tao. In Chinese with English subtitles. (NR, 1:53) At Pearlridge West
“Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” ***1/2
Two brothers get more than they can handle from the pair of out-of-control women who respond to their online ad. With Zac Efron, Anna Kendrick, Adam Devine and Aubrey Plaza. Written by Andrew Jay Cohen and Brendan O’Brien. Directed by Jake Szymanski. (R, 1:38)
“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)
“Seoul Searching”
(Star rating unavailable)
High school students from around the world travel to Korea in 1986 for a summer program to learn about their shared heritage but quickly succumb to the adolescent urge to party. With Justin Chon, Jessika Van and Cha In-Pyo. Written and directed by Benson Lee. (NR, 1:45) At Kahala 8
“Sultan”
(Not reviewed)
A middle-aged wrestling champion (Salman Khan) tries to make a comeback to represent India at the Olympics. With Anushka Sharma. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. (NR, 2:50) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18
“Wiener-Dog”
(Star rating unavailable)
An elongated canine travels cross-country, affecting people along the way. With Greta Gerwig, Ellen Burstyn and Danny DeVito. Written and directed by Todd Solonz. (R, 1:30) At Kahala 8
NOW PLAYING
“The BFG” ***
A Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance) befriends a young girl (Ruby Barnhill) from London in this adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic. With Penelope Wilton. Written by Melissa Mathison. Directed by Steven Spielberg. (PG, 1:57)
“Central Intelligence” **
A former geek (Dwayne Johnson) returns to a high school reunion as a studly CIA agent and recruits his classmate (Kevin Hart) for a mission. With Amy Ryan. Written by Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen and Rawson Marshall Thurber. Directed by Thurber. (PG-13, 1:54)
“The Conjuring 2” ***
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as demonologists investigating the haunting of a house in north London. With Frances O’Connor. Written by Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes, James Wan and David Leslie Johnson; story by Hayes, Hayes and Wan. Directed by Wan. (R, 2:13) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18
“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)
“Independence Day: Resurgence”
(Not reviewed)
Twenty years later, the aliens return with new and improved technology. With Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. Written by Nicolas Wright, James A. Woods, Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich and James Vanderbilt; story by Devlin, Emmerich, Wright and Woods. Directed by Emmerich. Imax 3-D. (PG-13, 2:00)
“The Legend of Tarzan” **1/2
After years of being civilized, the ape-man (Alexander Skarsgard) returns to the Congo and is entangled in a conspiracy. With Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie, Christoph Waltz and Djimon Hounsou. Written by Adam Cozad and Craig Brewer, based on the Tarzan stories created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Directed by David Yates. Imax 3-D. (PG-13, 1:49)
“Now You See Me 2” **
The Four Horsemen return for more magic and tangle with an unethical tech magnate. With Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Dave Franco and Lizzy Caplan. Written by Ed Solomon; story by Solomon and Peter Chiarelli, based on characters created by Boaz Yakin and Edward Ricourt. Directed by Jon M. Chu. (PG-13, 1:55) At Pearlridge West and Dole Cannery Stadium 18
“Our Kind of Traitor” **1/2
On holiday in Marrakech, an English couple becomes entangled with the Russian mafia and the U.K.’s MI6. With Ewan McGregor, Naomie Harris and Damian Lewis. Written by Hossein Amini, based on the John le Carre novel. Directed by Susanna White. (R, 1:47) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8
“The Purge: Election Year” ***1/2
In the third edition of this sci-fi horror series, the annual government-sanctioned, 12-hour period when all crime is legal comes under attack. With Frank Grillo, Edwin Hodge and Betty Gabriel. Written and directed by James DeMonaco. (R, 1:45)
“The Shallows” **1/2
Blake Lively stars as a surfer on a secluded beach who fights for survival after encountering a great white shark. Written by Anthony Jaswinski. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. (PG-13, 1:27)
“Swiss Army Man”
(Star rating unavailable)
A man (Paul Dano) stranded on a desert island befriends a corpse (Daniel Radcliffe) that washes ashore. With Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Written and directed by Daniels (aka Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert). (R, 1:35) At Dole Cannery Stadium 18 and Kahala 8
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
Rifftrax Live: “MST3K Reunion”
7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $13 (NR, 2:00)
Mike, Kevin, Bill and writers from “Mystery Science Theatre 3000” gather to riff on the 1990s TV show.
Metropolitan Summer Encore: “La Boheme”
7 p.m. Wednesday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $13 (NR, 2:04)
Puccini’s story of young love stars Kristine Opolais as Mimi and Vittorio Grigolo as Rodolfo.
“Chasing Niagara”
7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Ward Stadium with Titan XC, $13 (NR, 1:15)
Documentary about pro kayaker Rafa Ortiz’s quest to paddle over Niagara Falls. The three-year mission included help from world-renowned paddler Rush Sturges and a team of friends as they went from the rain forest rivers of Mexico to the towering waterfalls. Directed by Sturges.
Royal Shakespeare Company: “Hamlet”
2 p.m. Wednesday at Kahala 8, $20, (NR, 2:55)
Simon Godwin (“The Two Gentlemen of Verona 2014”) directs Paapa Essiedu in the title role of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.
Art and Architecture in Cinema: “St. Peter’s and the Papal Basilicas of Rome”
7 p.m. Thursday at Dole Cannery Stadium 18, $16 (PG, 1:40)
Life stories of popes and artists will be told as viewers get a look at the Extraordinary Jubilee proclaimed by Pope Francis. Millions of people gathered for the historical moment when the Holy Doors opened to unveil the inside of the four basilicas.
ARTHOUSE
DORIS DUKE THEATRE
Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St. (532-8768, honolulumuseum.org); $10, $8 members
Honolulu Surf Film Festival 2016
Runs through July 31
“Dirty Old Wedge”
1 p.m. Friday
Tim Burnham directs this documentary showcasing Newport Beach’s famous surf break, a man-made phenomenon that became notorious beginning in the 1930s, drawing people from all over the world to witness it themselves. It focuses on the “Wedge Crew,” a group of bodysurfers with relationships with the wave and one another. (2106, 1:20)
“Fish”
7:30 p.m. Friday; screens with ‘Tyler Surfboards’ (2015, 0:08)
Director Joseph Ryan provides a glimpse into the origin and impact of the fish surfboard design and its influence on surfing culture 30 years later. (2015, 1:22)
“Surf Cinema Nugs”
1 p.m. Saturday and Thursday
Showcase of short surf films from around the world, including “Light Therapy,” “Los Zapatos,” “Luis Eyre: Alien Invader,” “Peninsula South,” “Deep Islands,” “Live Life Beautifully: Andy Davis,” “Bulan Baru,” “I Lost My Dream,” “Watu,” “Being a Surfer Is Fun” and “A-Frame.”
“Lunar”
4 p.m. Saturday
In the beautiful landscape of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands lives Leah Dawson, who creates music, shapes her boards and “dances” on water powerfully and gracefully. (2016, Italy, 0:08)
Screens with:
>> “La Maestra”
Meet Mayra Aguilair, a teacher in a tiny rural fishing village in Baja, Mexico, who becomes the first Mexican female surfer in the area. (2016, Mexico, 0:30)
Also screens with “The Women and the Waves 2”
In this follow-up to 2009’s groundbreaker, Heather Hudson directs this celebratory film about six women and their approach to surfing and life. (2016, 0:43)
“The Wave/Ride”
7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Wednesday
Maui’s Paige Alms, who had been surfing since she was 9, recovers from a traumatic injury as she attempts to redeem herself on one of the biggest waves in the world. (2015, 1:10)
“Surfing Southern Africa”
1 p.m. Sunday
Series of shorts features surfers from near and far as they seek the ultimate waves in Southern Africa: “Africa 2014,” “No Regrets,” “Paul” and “Exploring Madagascar.”
“View From a Blue Moon”
4 p.m. Sunday; screens with “The Wild” (2015, 0:07)
Director Blake Vincent Kueny follows Hawaii’s John John Florence and his closest friends over three years of filming as they embark on a surf journey that takes them from the North Shore to other global destinations. (2015, 0:59)
“Fire and Water”
7:30 p.m. Sunday
Director Thomas Brookins brings to light rare footage stored in a New York basement for 50 years that highlights a strong community of firefighting surfers, one of whom was Don “Gums” Eichin, who moved to Hawaii (with a house at Pipeline) in the 1960s and whose two sons carry on the surfing hero’s legacy today. (2016, 1:10)
“Bear Island”
1 p.m. Tuesday
The Wegge brothers, known for living a fun and spontaneous way of life, head to formidable Bear Island in search of waves. In Norwegian with English subtitles. (2014, Norway, 1:22)
“La Primera Ola”
7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Documentary highlights seven key moments that defined the early days of Spanish surfing. Directed by Pedro Temboury. In Spanish with English subtitles. (2015, Spain, 1:18)
“Freeze Frames”
7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Four films explore surfers in search of finding the perfect wave despite the ice and freezing cold weather: “Hot Toddy,” “Faores: The Outpost Vol. 02,” “No Country for Cold Men” and “Freezing.”
“Psychic Migrations”
7:30 p.m. Thursday; screens with “+/+” (2016, 0:09)
Built upon more than 20 years and 30 influential films from Volcom, this film directed by veteran surf filmmaker Ryan Thomas was shot on location in the West and East Indies, Australia, Polynesia and Central and South America. (2015, 1:00)
MOVIE MUSEUM
3566 Harding Ave. (735-8771); $5, $4 members
“Avis De Mistral” (“Our Summer in Provence”)
11:30 a.m. and 3:15 and 7 p.m. today; 2:30 and 6:45 p.m. Thursday
Comedy-drama about two teen siblings and their deaf baby brother who finally meet their grandfather while on a summer vacation in Provence, stuck on an olive farm devoid of technology. For ages 12 and older. In French with English subtitles. (2014, France, 1:44)
“Eye in the Sky”
1:30, 5:15 and 9 p.m. Friday
During a top-secret NATO operation, an American drone pilot with his hand on the trigger awaits the signal as Kenyan terrorists readying for their mission are strapping on suicide vests, when a little girl unexpectedly enters the kill zone. With Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman. Rated R. (2015, U.K., 1:42)
“Rams”
11:30 a.m. and 3:15 and 7 p.m. Saturday
Two brothers who have not spoken to each other for 40 years, even while living and working next to each other on neighboring sheep farms, could be forced to end their grudge after learning the sheep on one farm are infected with a lethal disease. Rated R. In Icelandic with English subtitles. (2015, Iceland/Denmark/Norway/Poland, 1:33)
“Purple Noon” (“Plein soleil”)
1:15, 5 and 8:45 p.m. Saturday
Adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” about a handsome young man who is sent to Rome to locate Mr. Greenleaf’s playboy son Philippe and bring him back to San Francisco. Philippe, meanwhile, has no intention of returning home and provides Tom with a taste of the “good life.” Rated PG-13. (1960, France/Italy, 1:57)
“The Mermaid” (“Me ren yu”)
Noon, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday
In an effort to save their habitat, mermaids come up with a plan for one of their own to seduce and assassinate a wealthy real estate developer who plans to build a man-made island next to a marine preserve. Rated R. In Mandarin with English subtitles. (2016, China, 1:34)
“Cousin Cousine”
1:45, 5:15 and 8:45 p.m. Sunday
Two cousins-in-law form a friendship and embark on an affair for a bit of revenge on their philandering spouses. Rated R. In French with English subtitles. (1975, France, 1:36)
“The Steps”
12:15, 4:30 and 8:45 p.m. Monday
Down-on-his-luck Jeff and his party-girl sister visit their father at an Ontario lake house and meet their new Canadian stepfamily, which consists of their newly wed stepmother and her three redneck sons. With James Brolin and Jason Ritter. Rated R. (2015, Canada, 1:38)
“Michiel De Ruyter” (“Admiral”)
2 and 6:15 p.m. Monday
This historical adventure story is based on the life of a naval hero whose rise to fame included fighting naval battles, crippling the English navy and enduring 17th-century Holland’s political divisions involving Republicans versus Royalists. For ages 15 and older. In Dutch, English and French with English subtitles. (2015, Netherlands, 2:26)
“Marie-Antoinette Reine de France”
12:15, 4:30 and 8:45 p.m. Thursday
Historical drama focuses on the tragic romance between Queen Marie-Antoinette and Swede Count Axel von Fersen and was filmed at historical locations. For ages 12 and older. In French with English subtitles. (1956, France, 2:00)