Star Wars: The Force Awakens

OPENING

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP—The latest animated family comedy starring the famous chipmunks in a new kid-friendly adventure. Directed by Walt Becker. Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

THE BIG SHORT—Adam McKay’s satirical comedy about a group of outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of 2008 and schemed to profit from the big banks lack of foresight and greed. Starring Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, and Steve Carell. Reviewed in this issue. Opens Tue. Dipson Amherst

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS—J.J. Abrams highly anticipated and long-awaited seventh installment in the legendary space opera saga set thirty years after the defeat of the Empire which finds both familiar faces and old one’s teaming up to defeat a new galactic threat. Angola Theater, Aurora Theater, Hamburg Theater, Lockport Theater, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

SISTERS—Comedy about to adult sisters (Tina Fey and Amy Poeller) who decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home. Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

ETC.

BOLSHOI BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER- Special presentation of Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet performed and broadcast from the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. Dipson Amherst Sun 12:55

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983)—Bob Clark’s Classic Christmas comedy about young Ralphie and his attempts to convince his parents to let him get a Red Ryder B.B. gun for Christmas in 1940s America. Riviera Theater Sat Aurora Theater, Hamburg Theater Thu 12/24 11am

ELF (2003)—Jon Favreau’s family comedy about an orphaned man raised by Santa and his elves as one of their own at the North Pole and travels to New York City to reconnect with his biological father, a career driven executive (James Caan). North Park Sat and Sun 11:30am

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)—Frank Capra’s beloved holiday classic one life-changing Christmas eve in the soul of Goerge Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) a compassionate but despairing family man on hard times whose visit from a guardian angel reminds him what truly matters in life. Aurora Theater, Hamburg Theater Sat 11am, The Sceening Room Fri, Sat, Tue & Wed 7:30

SCROOGE (1951)—Alistair Sim’s stars in the role of his life in director Brian Desmond Hurst’s adaptation of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. The Screening Room Fri, Sat, & Wed 5:30

TO BE TAKEI (2014)—Documentary about Star Trek actor, LGBT activist, and Internet icon George Takei. Presented by Squeaky Wheels at Dreamland Art Studio, 387 Franklin St. Thu 7