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

OPENING THIS WEEK:

BABYLON A.D.—Futuristic adventure starring Vin Diesel as a mercenary hired to escort a woman (Michelle Yeoh) from Russia to China, not knowing that she holds the secret to a cult’s genetically designed messiah. With Mélanie Thierry, Gérard Depardieu, and Charlotte Rampling. Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz (Hate). Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive In

BAGHEAD—Four aspiring actors spend a weekend at a cabin in the woods trying to write a script for a movie they can all star in. Starring Ross Partridge, Steve Zissis, Greta Gerwig, and Elise Muller. Directed by Jay and Mark Duplass (The Puffy Chair). Reviewed this issue. Eastern Hills

COLLEGE— Will the world ever tire of Animal House rip-offs? Of course—we’ve been tired of them for 30 years. But they keep making them anyway. This one features a cast of kids from TV shows aimed at audiences too young to get into R-rated movies and was directed by Deb Hagan, whose previous credit is a short called “Pee Shy.” Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive In

DISASTER MOVIE—Another catch-all parody movie from the creators of Epic Movie, Date Movie and Meet the Spartans. Do you know anyone who liked any of those? I don’t. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

ELEGY—Adaptation of the Philip Roth novel The Dying Animal, starring Ben Kingsley as an aging college professor who begins a difficult affair with a much younger former student (Penelope Cruz). With Patricia Clarkson, Deborah Harry, Dennis Hopper, and Peter Sarsgaard. Directed by Isabel Coixet (My Life Without Me). Reviewed this issue. Amherst

HAMLET 2—Comedy starring Steve Coogan as a failed actor turned high school drama teacher who tried to motivate his class with a sequel to that play in which everybody dies at the end. With Catherine Keener, Joseph Julian Soria, Skylar Astin, Marshall Bell, Amy Poehler, David Arquette, and Elisabeth Shue. Directed by Andrew Fleming (Dick). Reviewed this issue. Amherst

MAN ON WIRE—Documentary about tightrope walker Philippe Petit, who in 1974 illegally strung and walked on a wire between the two towers of the World Trade Center. Directed by James Marsh (Wisconsin Death Trip). Eastern Hills

TRAITOR—Spy thriller starring Don Cheadle as a former US Special Operations officer who may be responsible for an international conspiracy. With Guy Pearce, Saïd Taghmaoui, Neal McDonough and Jeff Daniels. Directed by Jeffrey Nachmanoff. Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

ETC:

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975)—Return of the cult classic your parents spent their teenaged weekends at! Sat at midnight. Palace Theater, 31 Buffalo St., Hamburg (649–2295)