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Previous story: Movie Times (Friday, November 4 - Thursday, November 10)
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Film Now Playing

Metropolis

Opening:

ANONYMOUS—Did someone else really write the plays attributed to William Shakespeare? How about the Earl of Oxford? Roland Emmerich (Independence Day) directed this Elizabethian conspiracy thriller starring Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave, Sebastian Armesto, David Thewlis, and Joely Richardson. Reviewed this issue. Amherst

FIVE STAR DAY—Disappointed by a promising horoscope prediction, a young man sets out to investigate the validity of astrology by finding three other people born at the same time and place. Starring Cam Gigandet, Jena Malone, and Julianna Guill. Directed by Danny Buday. Screens.

TAKE SHELTER—Michael Shannon as a blue collar worker and father struggling to decide whether the visions and nightmares he is experiencing are signs of madness or an impending apocalypse. Co-starring Jessica Chastain, and Shea Whigham. Directed by Jeff Nichols (Shotgun Stories). Reviewed this issue. Amherst, Eastern Hills

TOWER HEIST—Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy leads a robbery on the penthouse apartment of a Bernie Madoff-ish swindler (Alan Alda). With Téa Leoni, Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick, Judd Hirsch, Michael Peña, and Gabourey Sidibe. Reviewed this issue. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive-In

A VERY HAROLD AND KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS—The title seems pretty self-explanatory. Starring Kal Penn, John Cho, Patton Oswalt, RZA, Thomas Lennon, and of course Neil Patrick Harris. Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson (Zombies and Cheerleaders). Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

ETC:

CHUNGKING EXPRESS (Hong Kong, 1994)—The stylistically playful, wholly beguiling feature that put Wong Kar Wai on the international map. Two cops, two girls and a neon city: Even if the plot (made up during filming) doesn’t always seem to make sense, it’s a delight to look at and listen to. Starring Takeshi Kaneshiro, Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung, and Faye Wong. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tue 7pm. Market Arcade

THE GREEN WAVE—Documentary about the reform movement in Iran among intellectuals and young people in early 2009 that hoped to replace that country’s repressive leadership with a reform government, using tactics that led to the Arab Spring of this year. Presented in conjunction with the University at Buffalo’s International Education Week. Free and open to the public. Mon 7pm. University at Buffalo, Student Union Theater, North Campus

METROPOLIS (1925/1984)—Music producer Giorgio Moroder’s reedited cut of Fritz Lang’s dystopian masterpiece, scored with new music by Moroder and a cast of 1980s pop stars. Fri-Sat 7pm. Screening Room

THE NEW YORK SHORT FILM CONCERT—Thirtieth anniversary edition of the series (and the first to play in WNY) compiling the best in new and classic short films Thu Nov 3 7pm. The Screening Room.

NICKEL CITY SMILER—Premiere of a locally made documentary about the struggles of Burmese refugees settled on Buffalo’s west side. See the SYT preview this issue. Fri-Sun 7pm. Market Arcade.

POLISH FILM SHOWCASE—New edition of the series highlighting the best in recent Polish cinema, sponsored by the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College. See the feature preview in this issue. Montante Cultural Center, 2001 Main St.

WASTELAND UTOPIAS—Fanciful documentary exploring two utiopianists who brought their schemes to Arizona’s Sonoran Desert in the 1950s: Wilhelm Reich, who believed that harnessing sexual energies could control the weather, and Del Webb, who wanted to build a retirement community in this uninhabitable area. Filmmaker David Sherman will be present. Sat 7pm. Squeaky Wheel.

THE WHOLE TOWN’S TALKING (1935)—Comedy starring Edward G. Robinson in a dual role as a meek clerk and the gangster for whom he is mistaken. With Jean Arthur, Arthur Hohl, and James Donlan; look fast for Lucille Ball as a bank employee. Directed in most uncharacteristic style by John Ford. Fri 7:30pm. The Old Chestnut Film Society, Philip Sheridan School, 3200 Elmwood (836-4757)