At The Movies

Opening

10,000 B.C. 1/2
From director Roland Emmerich ("Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow") comes an epic tale of early man. A young hunter is forced to lead his small group to the end of the world in pursuit of a band of mysterious warlords -- all to save the girl he loves. Review in Friday's Today section. (PG-13)

The Bank Job 1/2
A bank-heist crew targets a room full of safety deposit boxes containing a treasure trove of not only millions in cash and jewelry, but also dirty secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal. Review on Page 22. (R)

CJ7
The latest movie from Hong Kong actor-director Stephen Chow ("Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle") is a science-fiction comedy about a poor widower who brings home a mysterious orb from a junkyard for his son, where they discover the supposed toy is actually an alien with extraordinary powers. (PG)

College Road Trip
Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symone star in this comedy about an overprotective police-chief father who insists on escorting his daughter on a road trip to prospective colleges to assure her total security and safety. (G)

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day 1/2
Frances McDormand and Amy Adams star in the British period comedy about a former governess who finds herself sorting out the many unseemly affairs of her new boss, a high-profile nightclub chanteuse. Review on Page 26. (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 remain in theaters until EVERY tween girl in the United States has seen it at least once. The insanely talented and likable Cyrus plays herself and her TV teenage, blond alter ego on stage.

U2 3D
A "you-are-there" concert film of the rock band taken from performances in Argentina, Mexico, Chile and Brazil from their recent Vertigo tour.

PG

Parental guidance suggested.

Penelope 1/2
Christina Ricci is lovably adorable in this adorably lovely fairy tale romance about the inheritor of a family curse that leaves all the females with pig snouts. The only cure to her affliction: to earn the love of one of her own. It's a smart, funny and endearing twist on "Beauty and the Beast."

The Spiderwick Chronicles
Based on the children's fantasy series about children who uncover the truth about their new home -- a secluded old house owned by their great-great-uncle -- 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 the actors, particularly 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.

Be Kind Rewind
Jack Black and Mos Def star as a couple of friends who become neighborhood heroes when, after accidentally erasing the old VHS tapes in the local video rental store, they imaginatively re-create and re-film some of its more popular movies. Director Michel Gondry's movie could've been a clever, biting satire about pop culture but instead feels too fluffy and sweet.

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 unfortunately loses its spark at the end.

Fool's Gold 1/2
Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson star as a former couple who meet again when he, a good-natured, surf bum-turned-treasure hunter, persuades her boss, a millionaire, to take his megayacht on a search for a missing treasure. This romantic comedy has a certain buoyancy that manages to keep it afloat, making it an entertainingly breezy outing.

Jumper
A 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, and feels like a thriller for the ADD generation.

Juno
A whip-smart teen, confronted with an unplanned pregnancy by her classmate, tries to find a "perfect" set of parents for her unborn child in an affluent suburban couple. It's a smart and hip comedy, filled with Diablo Cody's Oscar-winning dialogue, and performances -- particularly Ellen Page's in the title role -- like grace notes.

The Other Boleyn Girl
Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson play sisters Anne and Mary Boleyn, who become rivals when they are driven by their ambitious father and uncle to try to advance the family's power and status by courting the affections of King Henry VIII. Although a handsome film, it turns out to be a high-brow bodice ripper with regal pretensions.

Persepolis 1/2
The coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken Iranian girl who lives with her family during the Islamic Revolution. Adapted from Marjane Satrapi's graphic novels about her own life, it's a colorful autobiography rendered in crisp black-and-white animation.

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. Hot girl, ripped guy, dazzling dancing, irresistible music, shattered traditions -- it's all on the menu again.

Vantage Point
Eight strangers with eight different points of view try to unlock the one truth behind an assassination attempt on the president. Rooted in today's terror-wary consciousness, the movie's a thrilling reminder that things are not always what they seem.

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. The comedy's not as broad as in Lawrence's "Big Momma's House" movies, but it's close, and nearly as gross in its physical humor and innuendo. The movie is 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, just as her teenage sister falsely accuses him of sexually assaulting their cousin. It's a gripping film, with fine performances by Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Saoirse Ronan. Even the occasional artiness can't detract from the painful events at this story's heart-rending core.

City of Men
Growing up in a Brazilian ghetto culture dictated by violence and run by street gangs, two teenage boys who've become close as brothers find themselves on opposite sides of a gang war. The film gives the viewer a sense of life as it's really lived in the slums, where there are few options and almost all of them are bad.

No Country for Old Men
The Coen brothers' latest film is set in West Texas, as a man on the run with a suitcase full of money is pursued by a number of individuals. In adapting Cormac McCarthy's novel about crime and carnage along the Rio Grande, the Coens stay mostly faithful to its structure while maintaining much of the book's rhythmically clipped, colorful dialogue. It's vintage stuff for the writing-directing team and their best work in a while -- good enough to win them best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay Oscars, plus get Javier Bardem a best supporting actor nod.

Semi-Pro 1/2
Will Farrell's latest sports comedy is not as polished as his previous movies, but its low-rent ambience is perfect for the story set against the backdrop of the upstart American Basketball Association in its final season in the mid-1970s. The uneven nature of the story and the comedy exposes its shortcomings, but the effect isn't fatal.

Strange Wilderness 1/2
The stoner crew of a wildlife show is running it into cancellation until a tip to the whereabouts of Bigfoot sends them to Ecuador. The movie's an almost painless frat boys' night out, but this is mostly a bummer.

Second-run Movies

27 Dresses 1/2
Katherine Heigl stars as a perennial bridesmaid whose own happy ending is nowhere in sight until her sister captures the heart of her boss, with whom she is secretly in love. (PG-13)

Alvin and the Chipmunks
Three musically inclined chipmunks find their dream challenged by an unscrupulous record executive. (PG)

Enchanted
A wide-eyed, would-be animated princess becomes human when she is banished by a wicked queen to real-life New York City. (PG)

The Golden Compass 1/2
A girl finds herself on an epic quest to save an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals. (PG-13)

I Am Legend 1/2
Will Smith stars as a military scientist whose immunity to a deadly virus leaves him stranded in Manhattan with only his trusted German shepherd for companionship -- that is, until the infected crazies show up. (PG-13)

The Kite Runner
Two Afghan friends from different social classes are separated during the Soviet invasion of the 1970s, and reunited later as the Taliban takes hold of Afghanistan.

Mad Money
Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes star as unlikely friends who plan to rob one of the most secure banks in the world. (PG-13)

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie 1/2
Three animated vegetable pals set sail for adventure in the 17th century, as they go into battle to rescue a royal family from an evil tyrant. (G)

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
An extremely sweet tale about loyalty and friendship as a lonely Scottish boy discovers an enchanted egg which eventually hatches and 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):

War/Dance
(PG-13) At 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and March 13.

MOVIE MUSEUM

3566 Harding Ave.; $5, $4 members; reservations recommended due to limited seating (735-8771):

The Twilight Samurai
At 12:30, 3, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Friday.

Into the Wild
At 12:30, 3, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday.

24 Eyes
At 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday.

All About Our House
At 12:30, 3, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Monday.

No Country for Old Men
At 12:30, 3, 5:30 and 8 p.m. March 13.