CINEMA
At The Movies
OPENING
Be Kind Rewind
Jack Black and Mos Def star as a couple of friends who go to unusual lengths in keeping a loyal, if elderly, video store customer when, after accidentally erasing the old VHS tapes, they decide to re-create and re-film every movie she rents. Review on Page 27. (PG-13)
Charlie Bartlett
Kicked out of prep school and going to public school for the first time, a rich kid becomes the self-appointed psychiatrist to the student body. Review on Page 21. (R)
Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo
A sequel to the hit Philippine movie of 2006, "Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo," Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo reprise their roles as first-time parents who learn that putting their own personal interests ahead of their child may not be a good idea -- especially when it comes with dealing with their mothers. (NR)
U2 3D
A "you-are-there" concert film of the band taken from performances in Argentina, Mexico, Chile and Brazil from their recent Vertigo tour. Review on Page 26. (G)
Vantage Point
Eight strangers with eight different points of view try to unlock the one truth behind an assassination attempt on the president. Review on Page 22. (PG-13)
Witless Protection
Larry the Cable Guy plays a small-town sheriff who gets caught up protecting the beautiful key witness in a high-stakes case. (PG-13)
NOW PLAYING
G
General audiences.
Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert
1/2
Originally scheduled for a one-week run, this specially priced concert movie, screened in digital 3D, will now play until EVERY tween girl in the U.S. has seen it. The talented Cyrus plays herself and her TV alter ego on stage.
PG
Parental guidance suggested.
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Brothers Alvin, Simon and Theodore are back in this CGI/live-action adventure. The movie engages for about a half-hour, or 10 minutes longer than you might expect. Still, the chipmunks are quite cute.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Based on the children's series about children who uncover the truth about their new home and the fantastic creatures that inhabit it. For all its watercolor fantasy, the movie feels nicely rooted in the real world, thanks to a smart adaptation, Mark Waters' direction and Freddie Highmore in the dual role as the twins Simon and Jared.
PG-13
Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under age 13.
27 Dresses
1/2
This movie is so chock full of romantic comedy clichs, it almost plays like a parody. Katherine Heigl stars as a perennial bridesmaid whose own happy ending is nowhere in sight -- until her sister (Malin Akerman) captures the heart of her boss (Ed Burns), whom she secretly loves.
The Bucket List
1/2
Director Rob Reiner's comic drama puts him back in commercial, if not artistic, form. The movie is easily accessible, with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as terminally ill men who become buddies.
Definitely, Maybe
A soon-to-be divorced dad answers some hard questions from his daughter about his past relationships with three very different women. It's a surprisingly clever romantic comedy that starts brightly but loses its spark at the end.
The Eye
1/2
The latest homely Hollywood remake of an Asian horror film stars Jessica Alba as a woman who sees scary images after her sight is restored courtesy of her haunted donor.
Fool's Gold
1/2
Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson star as a former couple who meet again when he, a surf bum-turned-treasure hunter, convinces her boss, a millionaire, to take his yacht on a search for missing treasure.
Jumper
A young man with the ability to teleport anywhere in the world finds himself in a war between "jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them. This movie's all concept and zero substance.
Juno
A whip-smart teen, confronted with an unplanned pregnancy, tries to find a "perfect" set of parents for her child in an affluent couple. It's a smart comedy filled with great performances. (Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Ellen Page for Best Actress, Jason Reitman for Best Director, and Diablo Cody for Best Original Screenplay.)
Meet the Spartans
From the guys who saw "300" and made "Epic Movie" comes an equally epic satire where the mighty warriors fall victim to parody. It's filled with celebrity not-so-lookalikes and unfunny reality-show takeoffs.
Persepolis
1/2
An Oscar nominee for Best Animated Feature Film, it's the coming-of-age story of a precocious, outspoken Iranian girl during the Islamic Revolution. Adapted from Marjane Satrapi's graphic novels about her own life, rendered in black and white.
Step Up 2: The Streets
1/2
In this sequel to the 2006 hit, a rebellious street dancer finds herself fighting to fit in at an elite dance school while also trying to hold onto her old life.
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
1/2
Martin Lawrence stars as a successful Hollywood self-help guru who returns home to his crazy but lovable Southern family to help celebrate his parents' 50th wedding anniversary. This one's as predictable as they come.
R
Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Atonement
1/2
Adapted from Ian McEwen's book, a servant's son falls in love with a young, upper-class woman in 1935 Britain. It's a gripping film, with fine performances by Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Saoirse Ronan. (Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, plus for adapted screenplay, art direction, cinematography, original score and costume.)
No Country for Old Men
The Coen brothers' latest film has a man on the run with a suitcase full of money and pursued by a number of individuals. It's vintage stuff for the writing-directing team and their best work in a while. (Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, plus for cinematography, sound mixing and editing, and film editing.)
Rambo
Sylvester Stallone returns as the iconic action hero who ventures into a brutal Burmese war zone to rescue captured aid workers. The movie is a bloodbath punctuated by bouts of clumsy dialogue. But it does have its own kind of blockheaded poetry.
The Savages
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Oscar nominee Laura Linney play siblings who put their already arrested lives on hold when they help their father (Philip Bosco), who is slowly being consumed by dementia. The film tackles aging, frailty, humiliation and death with dark humor and a delicate touch. (Director Tamara Jenkins is also an Oscar nominee for Best Original Screenplay.)
There Will Be Blood
1/2
Director Paul Thomas Anderson's latest is a masterfully told epic of family, faith, power and oil set on the frontier of California's turn-of-the-century petroleum boom. (Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, plus for art direction, cinematography, sound editing, and film editing.)
SECOND-RUN MOVIES
Enchanted
An animated princess is banished by a wicked queen to real-life New York. Three-time Oscar nominee for Best Song. (PG)
The Golden Compass
1/2
A girl finds herself on a quest to save an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals. (PG-13)
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
A man sets out to find his kidnapped wife and avenge the death of his son during war in the kingdom of Ehb. (PG-13)
Lars and the Real Girl
1/2
A love story about a guy and his sex doll, and the family and friends that support his delusion. Nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar. (R)
One Missed Call
A woman witnesses the deaths of two friends, who were alerted to their deaths via cell-phone messages. (PG-13)
P.S. I Love You
A widow gets over her grief with the help of motivational letters left by her husband. (PG-13)
Stephen King's The Mist
A town fights to survive when they are attacked by creatures prowling in a thick mist. (R)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tim Burton's adaptation the Broadway musical about a homicidal barber out for grisly revenge. Nominated for three Oscars, including Johnny Depp for Best Actor, as well as for art direction and costume. (R)
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
A tale about loyalty and friendship has a boy discovering an egg that eventually grows up to be the Loch Ness monster. (PG)
ART HOUSE | REVIVAL
THE DORIS DUKE THEATRE, HONOLULU ACADEMY OF ARTS
900 S. Beretania St.; $7 general; $6 seniors, students and military; $5 Academy members (532-8768):
Viva Brazil: Not By Chance (Nao Por Acaso)
At 1 p.m. Friday, and 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Highlight on Art: The Cool School
At 7:30 p.m. Monday, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 1 p.m. Feb. 28 and 29.
MOVIE MUSEUM
3566 Harding Ave.; $5, $4 members; reservations recommended due to limited seating (735-8771):
Across the Universe
An Oscar nominee for Best Costume. At 12:30, 3, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Friday.
American Gangster
A two-time Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actress (Ruby Dee) and Best Art Direction. At 1, 4, and 7 p.m. Saturday.
Away From Her
Nominated for two Oscars: Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. At 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Americanizing Shelley
Hawaii premiere. At 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Monday.
Death at a Funeral
At 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Feb. 28.