Honolulu Weekly

WIDE RELEASES

Nine (Dec. 25)

A singing, dancing Daniel Day-Lewis returns to the screen in this $50 million musical drama based on the Broadway show, which, in turn, was based on Federico Fellini’s film 8 1/2 (l963). It’s all about the meltdown of a celebrated film director. The stellar cast includes Penélope Cruz, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, Dame Judi Dench and Marion Cotillard. Directed (and choreographed) by Rob Marshall (Chicago).

Pirate Radio (Nov. l3)

Ace Brit writer-director Richard Curtis (Love Actually) helms this music-rich comedy-drama, also known as The Boat That Rocked, about off-shore pirate U.K. rock-music broadcasts. Starring are Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kenneth Branagh, and cameo musicians/performers.

INDIE

Bandslam (release date not set)

After a false start earlier this year, a re-cut, rough-hewn rock indie, directed by Todd Graff (Camp), is back for a spotty re-release. Celebrated for its high energy and racousness, this one stars, among others, Lisa Kudrow and Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical). (Writer’s Note: If you wish to see it, make a request to the Movie Museum, the Doris Duke and the Kahala theaters.)

DOCUMENTARIES

This Is It (Oct. 28)

Compiled from the extensive rehearsal footage from Michael Jackson’s cancelled comeback tour, shot just days before his death. Directed by choreographer Kenny Ortega.

La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet (Nov. 4)

Frederick Wiseman, dean of cinéma vérité docs, helmed this behind-the-scenes and on-stage study of the ballet company. As usual for this director, there’s no narration or voice-over. In an interview last year, Wiseman told the Weekly he thinks it’s one of his best films. (Writer’s Note: Wiseman does not release his films conventionally, so, if you wish to see this one, make a request to the Movie Museum, the Doris Duke and the Kahala theaters.)

In Search of Beethoven (in limited release)

Phil Grabsky’s doc about the composerʻs life and work. Narrated by Juliet Stevenson.

Until the Light Takes Us
(late November)

This unusual doc, by Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell, takes us into the l990s underground Euro music scene, which, in Norway, climaxed in church-burnings and murders. Bad-ass all the way.