OPENING THIS WEEK:

FLOW—Documentary on the growing shortage of potable water in many parts of the world, caused less by actual shortage than human greed. Directed by Irena Salina. Reviewed this issue. Eastern Hills

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR—Why is this sequel to two TV movies in theaters? Because kids are the only audience Hollywood consistently knows how to exploit, God help us all. Aurora, Flix, Maple Ridge , Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit. Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive In

PRIDE AND GLORY—Multigenerational police drama starring Edward Norton as a New York cop who uncovers a scandal at his brother’s precinct. With Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich and Jennifer Ehle. Directed by Gavin O’Connor (Tumbleweeds). Reviewed this issue. Flix, Market Arcade, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit. Regal Walden Galleria

SAW V—Sequel. Directed by the production designer of the last three Saw movies, which shows you how much the producers value those two jobs. Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit. Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive In

ETC:

A FACE IN THE CROWD (1957)—You won’t find a better time than the last week of this election to see or re-see Elia Kazon’s classic drama about the rise of a demagogue, starring a most uncomical Andy Griffith as a television personality who turns his down-home appeal to political dadvantage, With Patricia Neal, Anthony Franciosa, Walter Matthau, and Lee Remick. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues 7 pm, Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

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). Sat 8pm; Tue 7:30pm. Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St. Fredonia (716-679-0891) www.fredopera.org

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) - It’s hard to explain just how shocking George Romero’s film was when it first leaked into drive-ins a quarter century ago. Its no-budget verisimilitude is still effective, as long as you can see it with an audience not intent on making a joke of it (what hath Rocky Horror wrought?) Fri-Sat 7:15pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza Business Center, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)

PHANTASM (1979)—Cult horror film set in a mortuary, where a teenaged boy does battle against an evil figure known only as The Tall Man. Directed by Don Coscarelli (Bubba Ho Tep). Fri-Sat 9 pm; Weds 9:15pm The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza Business Center, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)

PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1956)—Ed Wood’s best-remembered film is hardly the “worst movie ever made” (that would be The Flintstones). but it is one of the most entertaining bad ones. The story about aliens intent on destroying Earth before we destroy the universe takes a back seat to 70 minutes of cardboard sets, stock footage, and overripe acting from an assortment of Hollywood wannabes. Thurs 6:30pm. The Screening Room, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net

GHOSTLIGHTS: FOLKLORE, SKEPTICISM AND BELIEF—Premiere of a documentary about ghosts said to haunt six local performance spaces: the Riviera Theatre, Shea’s, the Ghostlight Theatre, the Town Ballroom, the Lancaster Opera House, and the Allendale Theatre. Filmmakers Matthew LaChiusa, Thomas LaChiusa and Robert Kupczyk will be on hand, and the screening will be preceded by a Haunted Happy Hour cash bar at 7 pm. Thurs Oct 30, 8 pm. Riviera Theater, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda (692-2413)