Opening

CASINO JACK—Kevin Spacey as disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Co-starring Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston and Jon Lovitz. Directed by George Hickenlooper (Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse). Reviewed this issue.

DRIVE ANGRY—This month’s Nicolas Cage movie. With Amber Heard, William Fichtner and David Morse. Directed by Patrick Lussier (Dracula 2000). Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

HALL PASS—Comedy by bad taste kings the Farrelly Brothers (There’s Something about Mary) about two suburban dads who are given a week off from marriage by their wives. Starring Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate, Richard Jenkins and Stephen Merchant. Reviewed this issue. Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

ETC:

ALICE, SWEET ALICE (1962)—Best known as the film debut of a young Brooke Shields, this religious-themed thriller stars Paula E. Sheppard (Liquid Sky) as a girl suspected of murdering her sister and other parishioners in her New Jersey town. Shown on video in cut form as Communion and Holy Terror, this restored version is worth a look for horror buffs. Fri 9 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376 / www.screeningroom.net).

COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER (1980)—In celebration of Loretta Lynn’s upcoming concert, the Riviera Theater presents the Oscar-winning film based on her autobiography. Starring Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones and Levon Helm. Directed by Michael Apted (35 UP). Wed 7:30 pm. Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St, N. Tonawanda (692-2413 / www.rivieratheatre.org).

CULTURE IN CINEMA SERIES: PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA: TCHAIKOVSKY AND MACMILLAN—Live performance featuring the premiere of a new violin concerto composed by James MacMillan (Vadim Repin, soloist). Also on the program are Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Berlioz’ Overture to Beatrice and Benedict. Sat 8 pm. Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main St. (834-7655 / www.dipsontheatres.com).

CULTURE IN CINEMA SERIES: TOSCA—Puccini’s opera performed at Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa, Italy. Starring Daniela Dessì. Directed by Renzo Giacchieri and conducted by Marco Boemi. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Weds 7 pm. Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main St. (834-7655 / www.dipsontheatres.com).

ENTRE NOS—Writer-director Gloria La Morte based this film on her childhood experience as part of a Columbian family forced to fend for itself on the streets of New York City. Reviewed this issue. Presented by the International Women’s Film Festival. Thurs March 3. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022)

FOOD MATTERS (2008)—Documentary examining theories of diet in relation to health issues such as weight loss, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and depression. There will be a post-screening discussion. Mon 7 The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376 / www.screeningroom.net).

MY TEHRAN FOR SALE—Docudrama shot surreptitiously in Tehran about young Iranians struggling to live in an increasingly repressive culture. Presented by the International Women’s Film Festival. Thurs Feb 24. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022)

NIAGARA (1953)—Marilyn Monroe’s last film before becoming a major star in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was this thriller in which she plays a wife scheming to murder her husband (Joseph Cotton) while vacationing just a few miles north of Buffalo. With Jean Peters and Richard Allen. Directed by Henry Hathaway. Fri-Sat 7 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376 / www.screeningroom.net).

PORTRAITURE IN QUEER EXPERIMENTAL CINEMA—Program of rare short films by Kenneth Anger, Andy Warhol, Gregory Markopoulos, George Kuchar and others, curated by Ed Halter. Open to the public and free of charge. Mon 7:30 p.m. Screening Room in the Center for the Arts, UB North Campus.

WALKABOUT (1971)— Nicolas Roeg’s classic film about two white children lost in the Australian outback, where they are discovered by an Aborigine boy on “walkabout,” his coming-of-age journey in the wilderness. Starring Jenny Agutter, Luc Roeg, and David Gulpilil. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues. 7 pm. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (1971)—Gene Wilder in the original film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, featuring songs by Anthony Newley. Directed by Mel Stuart. Sat 11am. Hamburg Palace Theatre, 31 Buffalo St, Hamburg (649-2295 / www.hamburgpalace.com).

YEARDLEY—Indie drama about a man brought to ruin by his sexual narcissism. Starring Jesse Bernstein, Saskia Grace Holmes and Garrett Geoghegan. Directed by Heath C. Michaels. Fri—Sat 7 pm, Sun 4 7 pm. HD Video Café, 5445 Transit Rd, Williamsville (688-4933 / www.hdvideocafe.com).