Film Blurbs 10-28-2009
Unattributed film synopses indicate movies not yet reviewed by HW staff.
Indicates films of particular interest
Opening
Amreeka Muna, a single mom, leaves the West Bank with her teenage son and settles into small town Illinois. An immigrant story that takes cues from The Joy Luck Club, both poignant and enlightening. Winner of the Critics’ Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Michael Jackson’s This Is It Is this it? Just when you thought the hyperactive vacuum of Jackson media coverage had subsided comes this doc, which follows the King of Pop as he shimmies, shakes and moonwalks his way through a strenuous run of rehearsals leading up to his death.
A Serious Man A bleak, cynical comedy à la American Beauty, set in a Midwestern suburb in 1967. Larry Gopnik, a physics professor, is in the throes of an existential crisis, forcing him to seek advice from three rabbis. From the Academy Award-winning Coen brothers.
Still Walking The Yokohama family reunion turns out to be a dysfunctional, awkward and–surprise–uplifting affair. A drama that subtly reveals the nuances of familial secrecy and resentments set amid Japanese austerity.
White on Rice This film was so popular at HIFF, it’s staying on the big screen for a while. Opens Fri 10/30, various times, [whiteonricethemovie.com], 237-3678
Regal Dole Cannery TheatersContinuing
Amelia A soaring biopic chronicling the life of Amelia Earhart, the brazen pioneer of the aviation movement who disappeared while attempting to circumnavigate the world. Hilary Swank, who bears a striking resemblance to Earhart, stars, alongside Richard Gere as Earhart’s husband.
Astro Boy Based on the Japanese manga franchise of the same name. Freddie Highmore is Astro Boy, a young, computer-animated robot who looks freakishly like Bob’s Big Boy (maybe it’s his day job).
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant When a traveling freak show–think Cirque Du Soleil on acid–rolls into town, one teenager trades in his Top-Siders for a pair of vampire fangs.
Ong Bak 2: The Beginning See review online at [www.honoluluweekly.com].
Paranormal Activity See review on page 21.
Saw VI Yes, you already saw it–five times–though if that wasn’t enough, watch as Jigsaw performs his usual shtick: slicing, dicing and mincing his way through human flesh.
The Stepfather A boy returns home after serving in the military and suspects something’s a little “off” about his new stepfather–like he’s a psychopathic serial killer out for blood (or something). A remake of the 1987 horror film of the same name.
Where the Wild Things Are A film that’s rich, compelling, disturbing and ultimately, a quiet triumph amidst the rumpus. –Ryan Senaga.
Zombieland As one of Columbus’ rules states, we should enjoy the little things, and there are a lot of little moments to enjoy in this horror/comedy/road movie. –Dean Carrico
Doris Duke Theatre
Honolulu Academy of Arts, 900 S. Beretania St., $8 general, $7 seniors/students/military, $5 Academy members, [honoluluacademy.org], 532-8768Egon and Dönci (Hungary, 2007) Egon, an amateur rocket scientist and his overfed cat Dönci, receive a message from outer space: take care of the environment. A computer-animated children’s flick in which characters communicate via mime.
Wed 10/28, Thu 10/29, Fri 10/30, Sat 10/31 & Sun 11/1, 1pm, 4pm & 7:30pm.
K-20: The Fiend with Twenty Faces (Japan, 2008) A circus acrobat, played by heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro, is mistaken for a thief and imprisoned, resulting in a thrilling spectacle for redemption. Based on the “retro-futuristic” romance novel by Soh Kitamura.
Tue 11/3, 1pm, 4pm & 7:30pm.
Movie Museum
3566 Harding Ave. #4, $4 members, $5 general, 735-8771Kaidan (Japan, 2007) An innocent man’s death casts a curse on a young couple a generation later. A spine-chiller that takes cues from Japanese horror films from the ’50s.
Thu 10/29, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm.
Drag Me to Hell (2009) A bloody romp of a horror film, as campy as it is frightening. After denying a gypsy an extension on her loan, Christine, a bank loan officer, gets cursed to hell.
Fri 10/30, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm.
The Cat and the Canary (1939) A remake of the silent comedy-horror film of the same name from 1927, featuring Bob Hope. Family members are stuck in a terrifying mansion after a millionaire’s will is read.
Sat 10/31, 12:30pm & 2:30pm.
Night of the Creeps (1986) Aliens crash into a small town, setting off a series of strange and unsettling events. A low-budget spoof of the horror/slahser genre. A cult classic.
Sat 10/31, 4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm.
Whatever Works (France, 2009) A misanthropic professor finds a homeless girl at his doorstep. Her innocence proves to be the perfect remedy for his cynicism, resulting in romance despite the 40-year age difference. Directed by Woody Allen (surprise, surprise).
Sun 11/1,12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm.
Oyster Farmer (Australia/U.K., 2004) When wages from his oyster-farming gig aren’t enough to support his ailing sister, Jack robs an armored vehicle. The package ends up in the river, setting off a thrilling, comedic goose hunt.
Mon 11/2,12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm.
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