The Lady from Shanghai

OPENING

KRAMPUS—Darkly-comic horror film based on the Krampus character from Alpine folklore about a boy who has a bad Holiday and ends up summoning the Christmas demon to his family’s home. Starring Adam Scott, Toni Collette, and David Koechner. Directed by Michael Dougherty. Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

THE LETTERS—Drama that explores the life of Mother Teresa (Juliet Stevenson) through letters that she wrote to her spiritual advisor Father Celeste van Exem (Max Von Sydow) over a nearly 50 year period. Co-starring Rutger Hauer and Priya Darshini. Directed by William Riead. Regal Niagara, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

ETC.

BOLSHOI BALLET: THE LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS—Special presentation of John Neumeier’s drama performed and broadcast from the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. Dipson Amherst Sun 12:55

THE BISHOP’S WIFE (1947)—Samuel Goldwyn’s light-hearted romantic drama about an angel (Cary Grant) who offers guidance to a bishop (David Niven) and his kindly wife (Loretta Young) as the bishop tries to get a new cathedral built. Directed by Henry Koster. North Park Sat and Sun 11:30am

DICK JOHNSON AND TOMMY GUN VS. THE CANNIBAL COP—Locally produced action-comedy about two mismatched homicide detectives who team up to take down a cannibalistic crooked cop. Directed by John Renna and Chris Rados. The Screening Room Fri 10

DIGITAL POETICS—Special live performance where media artists Alan Bigelow and Tammy McGovern explore the genre of digital poetics using text, image, and sound combined with interactive and playful digital narratives. Squeaky Wheel Sat 7

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000)—Ron Howard directs Jim Carrey in this live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s beloved Christmas tale which doesn’t hold a candle to the original book or the animated short it inspired. Aurora Theater Sat 11am

LET THE RECORD SHOW (2014)—Documentary about various artists and activists who banded together in New York City to address the AIDS crisis, discussing both their private and political journeys. Directed by Demetrea Dewald. Hallwalls Sat 8

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH (1946)—Michell Powell and Emmerich Pressburger’s fantasy drama about a British wartime aviator (David Niven) who cheats death and must argue for his life before a celestial court ranks among the more acclaimed collaborations between the masterful British filmmakers. Co-starring Kim Hunter and Robert Coote. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminars. Dipson Amherst Tue 7

ORSON WELLES FILM NOIR DOUBLE FEATURE: THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (1947) & TOUCH OF EVIL (1958)—Orson Welles’ The Lady from Shanghai, which stars himself and his then-wife Rita Hayworth, was famously meddled with by the studio, but it ranks among the weirder of Hollywood’s classic film noirs, and is justly famous for its masterful production design and cinematography as well as its famous finale set in a hall of mirrors. Touch of Evil, which concerns a narcotics officer (Charlton Heston) investigating the perverse dealings of a crooked Police Captain (Welles) stationed at the US/Mexico border, is arguably his greatest masterpiece after Citizen Kane, containing what is probably the greatest extended opening shot in movie history. Free screening presented by the Cultivate Cinema Circle at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Sat 1 & 3

SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (1964)—Nicholas Webster’s campy sci-fi comedy is basically the Plan 9 from Outer Space of Christmas movies, frequently listed among the worst movies ever but popular for its so-bad-its-good status and its appearance on Mystery Science Theater 3000. The Screening Room Thu 7

WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954)—Irving Berlin’s musical romance about a successful song-and-dance duo (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) who become involved with a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen) and team up to save the failing Vermont Inn of their former commanding general is a staple of the Holidays. Directed by Michael Curtiz. The Screening Room Fri, Sat & Tue 7:30