Unattributed film synopses indicate movies not yet reviewed by HW staff.

Indicates films of particular interest

Opening

Extraordinary Measures Inspired by the true story of John Crowley (Brendan Fraser), a biotech executive who had less than a year to finance a cure that would save his two youngest children, both afflicted with Pompe disease.

Legion A few years ago, studio executives collectively caught the doom bug, and our eyes have been subjected to a rich array of potential world deaths ever since. This one comes gift-wrapped in a Christian bow, involving a legion of angels who are ordered to execute the Last Judgment.

Tooth Fairy Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson spends most of this children’s flick fluttering around in a pink tutu and fairy wings. It’s funny in the same “ironic” way the high school quarterback would dress up as a girl for Halloween. Which is to say, not very.

The Yes Men Fix the World Gonzo journalism featuring the exploits of two conscious-rousing troublemakers clad in thrift store suits, responsible for exposing corporate buffoonery. One hoax: Announcing that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reversed its stance on global warming –“breaking news” that Fox “News” happily repeated for the rest of the day.

Continuing

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel In which the alpha rodent-jock, with nerd and knucklehead in tow, enters an American Idol-esque music competition. Hearts squwoon and voices squoar, all without a hint of testosterone anywhere in squight.

Avatar The thing about Avatar is that the director basically created a cartoon. Yes, the proceedings are involving, rousing and occasionally heartbreaking, but so was The Princess and the Frog. But before we pan the thing, the movie gets undeniably exciting in its spear-versus-machine climax. –Ryan Senaga

The Book of Eli See review on page 17.

It’s Complicated Meryl Streep used to be married to Alec Baldwin–now she’s having an affair with him while entertaining Steve Martin’s advances. Who knew the GILF-flick would become a full-fledged genre?

Daybreakers Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe star in this scary dystopian thriller about a world in which almost everyone is a vampire and we’re running out of blood.

Sherlock Holmes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle purists will totally lose their irregularities after seeing what happened to their beloved creation, but in a way, that’s part of this film’s excessive charm. –R.S.

The Spy Next Door An atypical Jackie Chan production: meaning for every cool kung-fu chop, Chan also gives us reason to giggle at his F.O.B. naiveté.

A Single Man See review on page 16.

Thomas and Friends: Thomas and the Runaway Kite If you’re looking for a way to kill a few hours with a 3-year-old, we’ve got you covered! Watch as America’s favorite anthropomorphic steam locomotive hunts down a kite.

Up in the Air George Clooney gives a terrific performance in Jason Reitman’s equally terrific movie. –Bob Green

The Young Victoria An accurate and historical account of the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert. Unfortunately, the film leaves the most important question unanswered: We never see the famous prince without his trousers.

Youth In Revolt Without the dueling [Michael] Ceras, this could very easily have sunk into the poor sex romps of the past few years (think Sex Drive and College), with its almost sitcom-styled wackery and familiar setups, including the age-old staple of (insert groan here) sneaking into a girl’s dormitory. –Dean Carrico

Doris Duke Theatre

Mine (2009) A furry documentary following New Orleans residents post-Katrina as they search for their lost pets.

Wed 1/20 & Thu 1/21, 1, 4 & 7:30pm. Fri 1/22, 1 & 4pm.

Art & Copy (2009) Documentarian Doug Pray (Surfwise) profiles some legends in advertising, including the minds behind infamous campaigns like “Where’s the Beef?” and “Got Milk?”

Fri 1/22, 7:30pm.

3rd Annual Bollywood Film Festival Premiere (2009) Dil Bole Hadippa!, told in classic Bollywood style–family-centric romantic comedies featuring theatrical dance numbers–kicks off this year’s festival. Veera isn’t your typical beauty. The vixen is good enough to swing with the boys, but when an all-male cricket league denies her, it’s time to break out the facial hair. The festival runs through March 2, and features 10 of Mumbai’s best. See [honoluluacademy.org] for showtimes and movie prices.

Sat 1/23 & Sun 1/24, 12:30 & 7:30pm.

Movie Museum

The Brothers Bloom (2008) Well-dressed con brothers (Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo) execute their last swindle involving an alluringly peculiar vixen (Rachel Weisz) that takes them on a high-stakes adventure.

Thu 1/21 & Mon 1/25, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 & 8:30pm.

The Proposition (Australia/U.K., 2005) A thriller, written by Nick Cave, set in 1880’s Australia. After getting caught by the police, an outlaw (Guy Pearce) is faced with a proposition: Kill his older brother, a barbaric psychopath, or his younger brother gets hung.

Fri 1/22, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 & 8:30pm.

Conversations With My Gardener (France, 2007) A Parisian painter moves back to his childhood home in the French countryside and inadvertently hires an old friend to garden.

Sat 1/23, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 & 8:30pm.

24 City (China/Hong Kong/Japan, 2008) Fiction and reality collide as actors and talking heads weave a timely story about a state-owned factory in Chengdu, slated to be demolished by the Chinese government and transformed into a complex of luxury apartments. From renowned director Jia Zhangke.

Sun 1/24, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 & 8:30pm.

University of Hawaii

Sacred Mandalas of the Heart A meditation on the mandalas of India, spiritual healers known to have special powers that imbue a calming effect on observers. Film accompanied by a special musical demonstration.

Sun 1/24, 3pm, $10.

Afghan Star A glimpse into the phenomena of the American Idol-like television show from Afghanistan, which managed to find huge success against a backdrop of political turmoil.

Sun 1/24, 5pm, $10.

Aloha (1950) The story of Aloha, a young girl who gets hijacked by a local gangster. Through the turmoil, Filipino, Chinese and Malay musicians play a blend of Hawaiian-inflected, Southeast Asian tunes.

Wed 1/20, 6:30pm, Korean Studies Auditorium, free.