Mary Elizabeth Winstead in "The Thing."

Opening:

THE BIG YEAR—Jack Black, Owen Wilson, and Steve Martin as competitive birdwatchers. When was the last time any of these guys made a funny movie? Directed by David Frankel (Marley and Me). McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

FOOTLOOSE—Remake. Starring Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough and Dennis Quaid. Directed by Craig Brewer (Black Snake Moan). Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, New Angola, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

HIGHER GROUND—Vera Farmiga directed and stars in this drama as a woman raised in a religious community who comes to question her faith. Co-starring Donna Murphy, John Hawkes and Bill Irwin. Reviewed this issue. Amherst, Eastern Hills

MACHINE GUN PREACHER—Gerard Butler as Sam Childers, a former drug dealer who became an advocate for Sudanese children forced to become soldiers. With Michelle Monaghan, Kathy Baker, and Michael Shannon. Directed by Marc Forster (The Kite Runner). Amherst

THE THING—Remake. Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, and Ulrich Thomsen. Directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive-In

ETC:

THE ARTIST AND THE PROCESS—A program of short films, including The Artist and the Computer (1980), Pixillations (1970), and U.F.O.’s (1971) by Lillian Schwartz, and Frank Scheffer’s From Zero, featuring footage of composer John Cage. Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm. Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave. (854-1694 / www.hallwalls.org).

THE FIFTH BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL—Movies, music and parties. See the feature this issue for films and venues.

MARKETA LAZAROVÁ (Czechoslovakia, 1967)—Voted the best Czech film ever made, Frantisek Vlácil’s medieval epic of the 13th century follows the rivalry between two warring clans. Recently re-discovered in the west, Vlácil’s films are compared to the work of Tarkovsky and Kurosawa. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tue 7pm. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

NIPPON RE-READ: RADICAL FRAGMENTS AND ABSTRACTIONS FROM JAPAN—Two programs of experimental Japanese cinema, from the 1960s though the present, presented as a fundraiser for Japanese earthquake relief. Wed 7pm and 9:30pm. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St (884-7172 / www.squeaky.org).

SEVEN CHANCES (1925)—Classic Buster Keaton comedy in which he has one day to find a bride in order to win an inheritance. Shown as part of a concert featuring the Mighty Wurlitzer organ. Free and open to the public. Weds 7:30pm. Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St, N. Tonawanda (692-2413 / www.rivieratheatre.org).