What's new and interesting in theaters this week. . .

OPENING THIS WEEK:

BOTTLE SHOCK—Based on the true story of the famous (or, if you’re a French vintner, infamous) 1976 Paris wine tasting that was won by (sacre bleu!) a California wine. Starring Chris Pine, Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Freddy Rodríguez, Dennis Farina, Eliza Dushku, and Miguel Sandoval. Directed by Randall Miller (The Sixth Man). Reviewed this issue. Amherst

DEATH RACE—Jason Statham, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane, and Joan Allen in a remake of Roger Corman’s drive-in classic about a road race in which the last survivor wins. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, (Resident Evil). Reviewed this issue. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

THE HOUSE BUNNY—The screenwriters of Legally Blonde and Ella Enchanted wrote this comedy about a banished Playboy bunny (Anna Faris) who becomes the house mother of a sorority of seven socially inept college students. Directed by former Saturday Night Live head writer Fred Wolf. Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden, Transit Drive In

THE LAST MISTRESS—France’s most unrestrained director (Catherine Breillat, Romance, 36 fillette) and Italy’s most unrestrained actress (Asia Argento) collaborate on a story of sexual obsession in 19th century France. Don’t bring Grandma. With Fu’ad Ait Aattou, Roxane Mesquida, Michael Lonsdale, Anne Parillaud, and Thomas Hardy. (Probably not the same one.) Reviewed this issue. Eastern Hills

THE LONGSHOTS—Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst directed this inspirational family-oriented sports comedy starring one-time rapper Ice Cube, Keke Palmer, Tasha Smith and Jill Marie Jones. Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden

THE ROCKER—The Office’s Rainn Wilson as a one-time drummer who hopes to regain the fame he almost had before he was kicked off a 1980s metal band by joining his high school nephew’s band. Directed by Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty). With Emma Bloom, Christina Applegate, Jane Lynch, and Jeff Garlin. Reviewed this issue. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden, Transit Drive In

ETC:

DARK VICTORY (1939)—A heartless socialite (Bette Davis) changes her ways when she learns she is dying in this classic soaper. With George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Henry Travers. Directed by Edmund Goulding (The Razor’s Edge). Thurs Aug. 21, 7:30 pm. Riviera Theater, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda (692-2413)

GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)—The Riviera Theater’s series of great movies from 1939 concludes with the classic that you’ve never really seen if you haven’t seen it in a theater. Preceded by Miss Scarlet’s Barbeque Bash, which begins at 5pm (separate charge). Sat 7:15pm. Riviera Theater, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda (692-2413)

THE RING (England, 1927)—Early Alfred Hitchcock film about two boxers in love with the same woman. Starring Carl Brisson, Lillian Hall-Davis and Ian Hunter. Fri. 7:15 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza Business Center, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net

THE SNOWS OF KILIMANJARO (1952)—Adaptation of an Ernest Hemingway story starring Gregory Peck as a big-game hunter who looks back with regrets on his love affairs as he lies dying from an infection while on safari. With Susan Hayward, Ava Gardner and Leo G. Carroll. Directed by Henry King (The Song of Bernadette). Fri, 9 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst 837-0376