OPENING THIS WEEK:

APPALOOSA—Ed Harris directed and co-stars in this western as one of a pair (with Viggo Mortensen) of hired guns protecting a town from an evil rancher (Jeremy Irons). Their job is complicated with the arrival in town of widow Renée Zellweger. Adapted from a novel by Robert B. Parker. Reviewed this issue. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA—Disney movie. With the voices of Drew Barrymore, Piper Perabo, Jamie Lee Curtis, Andy Garcia, and George Lopez. Directed by Raja Gosnell (Scooby-Doo). Flix, Maple Ridge, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive In

BLINDNESS—José Saramago’s grim novel about life in a city stricken by an epidemic of blindness comes to the screen from director Fernando Meirelles (City of God). Julianne Moore stars as a doctor’s wife who pretends to be blind so as not to be separated from her husband (Mark Ruffalo) when he is sent to an asylum. With Alice Braga, Don McKellar, Danny Glover, and Gael García Bernal. Reviewed this issue. Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Walden Galleria

FLASH OF GENIUS—True story starring Greg Kinnear as an inventor who sues Detroit automakers for stealing his idea. With Lauren Graham, Alan Alda and Dermot Mulroney. Directed by Marc Abraham. Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENATE PEOPLE—“Curb Your Enthusiasm” co-creator Robert B. Weide directed this comedy based on the memoir of Vanity Fair staff writer Toby Jones. Starring Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Danny Huston and Jeff Bridges. Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Flix

NICK AND NORAH’S INFINITE PLAYLIST—Teen comedy set on the Manhattan music scene where a young couple meet on an all-night quest to find a secret show by a famous band. Starring Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Aaron Yoo, and Jay Baruchel. Directed by Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas). Reviewed this issue. Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

RELIGULOUS—Documentary in which equal opportunity offender Bill Maher investigates the role of various prominent religions in the modern world. Directed by Larry Charles (Borat). Reviewed this issue. Amherst

ETC:

LOVE (Hungary, 1971)—Subtle but touching drama set in the years prior to the Hungarian uprising of 1956, as a dying old woman and her daughter-in-law react to life without the man who connects them. Directed by Károly Makk Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues 7 pm, Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)—Frank Capra’s classic film starring James Stewart as an idealistic Boy Scout leader who becomes an appointed Senator and decides to do something with his position, much to the chagrin of his corrupt colleagues. With Claude Rains, Jean Arthur, and Edward Arnold. Fri 7pm. Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St. Fredonia (716-679-0891) www.fredopera.org

OUTSOURCED—Indie comedy starring Josh Hamilton as a Seattle call center manager forced to travel to India to train his replacements. The New York Times calls it “a wonderful surprise,” and Roger Ebert says it is “a film bursting with affection for its characters.” Directed by John Jeffcoat. Fri-Sat 9pm. The Screening Room, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net

WHALEDREAMERS—Julian Lennon produced this spiritually-themed documentary about an Australian aboriginal tribe that uses the whale as a symbol of humanity’s need to reconnect with their roots. Directed by Kim Kindersley. Fri-Sat 7:15pm. The Screening Room, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net