Film Now Playing

OPENING THIS WEEK:

BODY OF LIES—Ridley Scott directs a thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a CIA operative in Iraq chafing under the command of bureau chief Russell Crowe, who monitors and directs his every move from suburban Virginia. Co-starring Mark Strong and Simon McBurney. Reviewed this issue. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

CITY OF EMBER—The residents of a fantasy world face a future in which the generator that has powered their existence begins to fail. Smells like an allegory to me! Starring Bill Murray, Toby Jones, Saoirse Ronan, and Harry Treadaway. Directed by Gil Kenan. Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

THE DUCHESS—A big Toronto kickoff could spur interest in this period piece starring Keira Knightley as the flashy 18th century aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish. Co-starring Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Rampling, and Hayley Atwell. Directed by Saul Dibb. Reviewed this issue. North Park, Regal Walden Galleria

THE EXPRESS—Jock drama, subset college football. Starring Rob Brown, Dennis Quaid, and Darrin Dewitt Henson. Directed by Gary Fleder (Kiss the Girls). Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND—Czech director Jiri Menzel (Closely Watched Trains) returns to international attention with this comedy that takes a puckish view of the difficult recent history of middle Europe through the eyes of a waiter who wants only to become rich, as long as it doesn’t take too much work. Reviewed this issue. Amherst, Eastern Hills

QUARANTINE—Shakycam horror movie in which a reporter and her cameraman are trapped inside an LA apartment building whose residents are infected by a virus that turns them into monsters. Starring Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez, Rade Serbedzija, and Greg Germann, Directed by John Erick Dowdle. Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive In

ETC:

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED—Adaptation of the Evelyn Waugh novel set during World War II about a young middle-class soldier’s experiences while staying with an aristocratic family. Starring Matthew Goode, Hayley Atwell, Ben Whishaw, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon, and Greta Scacchi. Directed by Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane). Sat 8pm; Tue 7:30pm. Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St. Fredonia (716-679-0891) www.fredopera.org

THE CONVERSATION (1974)—You’ll never persuade Godfather fans otherwise, but a lot of us consider this Francis Ford Coppola’s best film. Gene Hackman (whose favorite of his own films it is) stars as a surveillance expert whose life is coming apart due to suppressed guilt over the consequences of his job. Co-starring John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Frederic Forrest, Cindy Williams, Robert Duvall, Teri Garr, and Harrison Ford. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues 7 pm, Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1959)—Eccentric millionaire Vincent Price offers five people $10,000 each if they can spend the night in his haunted mansion. With Carolyn Craig, Richard Long, Elisha Cook Jr., and Carol Ohmart. Directed by William Castle (Mr. Sardonicus). Fri 7:15 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza Business Center, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)

PATRICK (1978)—Hitchcock-inspired Australian thriller with a cult following about a comatose young man with a telekinetic ability to wreak destruction on his enemies. Starring Susan Penhaligon, Robert Helpmann, and Rod Mullinar. Directed by Richard Franklin (Psycho 2). Fri, 9 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza Business Center, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)