Opening

BAD TEACHER—Comedy starring Cameron Diaz as a lackadaisical teacher who tries to compete for an award. Co-starring Lucy Punch, Jason Segel, and Justin Timberlake. Directed by Jake Kasdan (Zero Effect). Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden, Transit Drive-In

CARS 2—Sequel. With the voices of Owen Wilson, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Joe Mantegna, and Bonnie Hunt. Directed by John Lasseter, and Brad Lewis. Market Arcade, Aurora, Flix, Hamburg, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden, Sunset Drive-In, Transit Drive-In

CRACKS—In 1934, a new student at a secluded English boarding school for girls reveals the lies of a popular teacher. Starring Eva Green, Juno Temple, María Valverde, Imogen Poots, and Sinéad Cusack. Directed by Jordan Scott. Reviewed this issue. Eastern Hills

STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S COMPANY—Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Hendricks, Aaron Lazar, Patti LuPone, and Martha Plimpton star in this revival of the 1970 show about a single man contemplating the marriages of his friends. McKinley

THE TREE OF LIFE—Long awaited new film from Terrence Malick. Starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, and Jessica Chastain. Reviewed this issue. Amherst

ETC:

BLAZE FOLEY: DUCT TAPE COWBOY—Documentary about the troubled life of the songwriter whose work was covered by Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, John Prine, Lyle Lovett, and Kings of Leon. Directed by Kevin Triplett. Fri 8pm. See this week's Music Feature for more info. Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave. (854-1694 / www.hallwalls.org).

GASLAND—Ocar-nominated documentary studies the Halliburton-developed drilling technology of “fracking,” which uses high-pressure water to release underground natural gas but which may cause enormous damage to the water table in the process. Directed by Josh Fox. Sat 7pm. Angola Screening Room, Center & North Main, Village of Angola

THE HUSTLER (1961, Robert Rossen)—Riveting melodrama set in a vivid, seedy world of pool halls, flophouses, cons, and losers. Paul Newman is Fast Eddie Felson, a pool shark with the talent but not the character to become a champion. The excellent supporting cast includes Piper Laurie as his alcoholic girlfriend, Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats, and George C. Scott as a promoter. Fri Sat Tue Thu 8pm. Wed 8pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376 / www.screeningroom.net).

M (Germany, 1931)—Fritz Lang’s visceral thriller about a hunt for a child killer that unites the police and the criminal underworld of Berlin. Peter Lorre became an international star as the murderer, a victim of his compulsions, but it’s Lang’s film: Look at his depiction of a city falling under the sway of fascism and you’ll understand why he fled a year later. Wed 8pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376 / www.screeningroom.net).

STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S COMPANY—Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Hendricks, Aaron Lazar, Patti LuPone, and Martha Plimpton star in this revival of the 1970 show about a single man contemplating the marriages of his friends. Sun 2pm. Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main St. (834-7655 / www.dipsontheatres.com).

THIRD STAR—Four male friends learn more about themselves than they had anticipated on a trip to a Welsh coastal resort in this entry in the “From Britain With Love” series. After the screening, the cast, director and screenwriter will take questions from the audience in a virtual Q&A session. Sat 11am. Reviewed this issue. Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main St. (834-7655 / www.dipsontheatres.com).