African Cats

Opening:

AFRICAN CATS—Nature documentary. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson (what, was Morgan Freeman on vacation?) Directed by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey (Planet Earth). Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY—This year’s Tyler Perry movie. Starring Tyler Perry and some other people who aren’t Tyler Perry. Produced by The Tyler Perry Company. Written and directed by—oh, why do I bother? Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS— Robert Pattinson as a veterinary student who joins the circus. Co-starring Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Paul Schneider and Hal Holbrook. Directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend). Amherst, Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

ETC:

BLADE RUNNER (1982)—A box office failure when it was first released to an audience expecting another Star Wars, Ridley Scott’s vision of the future now holds a place as one of a handful of the top science-fiction films. Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, Daryl Hannah, William Sanderson, and Brion James. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues. 7 pm. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

CULTURE IN CINEMA: AS YOU LIKE IT—From London’s Globe Theater, Thea Sharrock’s new production of Shakespeare’s popular romantic comedy. Starring Brendon Hughes, Jack Laskey, Trevor Martin and Jamie Parker. Thu 7pm. Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main St. (834-7655 / www.dipsontheatres.com).

CULTURE IN CINEMA: THE BARBER OF SEVILLE—Rossini’s popular comic opera broadcast live from the Teatro Regio Di Parma. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Starring Dmitry Korchak, Bruno Praticò, Ketevan Kemoklidze, Luca Salsi. Conducted by Andrea Battistoni, and directed by Stefano Vizioli. Tue 2 pm. Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main St. (834-7655 / www.dipsontheatres.com).

HIGH ANXIETY (1978)—The beginning of Mel Brooks’ downward career trajectory, a spoof of Alfred Hitchcock movies starring Brooks in the Cary Grant role. (That in itself should have been funny, but isn’t.) Brooks failed to realize that Hitchcock had long since been kidded to death by his serious fans, leaving nothing but bare bones for parody to pick over. Fri, Sat, Tues 7:30. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376 / www.screeningroom.net).

THE PROMISE: THE MAKING OF DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN—Documentary about the making of the 1978 album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. All receipts from this screening will be donated to Carly’s Club and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Reviewed this issue. Mon, Tues, Weds 7 pm. Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main St. (834-7655 / www.dipsontheatres.com).