OPENING THIS WEEK:

CHANGELING—The indefatigable Clint Eastwood (whose Gran Torino will be released in December) directed this drama that probes the corrupt history of Los Angeles via the true story of a woman (Angelina Jolie) in the 1920s who claimed that the missing child returned to her by the police was not actually her son. With John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Colm Feore and Amy Ryan. Reviewed this issue. Maple Ridge, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

GIRL CUT IN TWO—The title and the timing might imply a Saw rip-off, but this new film from Claude Chabrol is a French reimagining of the scandalous story of Evelyn Nesbit, with Swimming Pool’s Ludivine Sagnier as the young woman juggling the affections of two older men. Co-starring Benoît Magimel, François Berléan, and Mathilda May. Reviewed this issue. Eastern Hills

THE HAUNTING OF MOLLY HARTLEY—Horror story starring Haley Bennett as a high school senior who learns that she has more reasons than most to fear her 18th birthday. With Jake Weber, Chace Crawford and Nina Siemaszko. Directed by Mickey Liddell. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Transit Drive In

ROCKNROLLA—Guy Ritchie’s fifth feature about London toughs and a real-estate scam, a return to the over-the-top style of his hits Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Starring Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Jeremy Piven, and Chris Bridges. Reviewed this issue. Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO—Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as longtime platonic friends in need of money who decide to co-star in a porn video. With Traci Lords and Jason Mewes. Directed by Kevin Smith (Clerks), Reviewed this issue. Amherst, Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Transit Drive In

ETC:

BLIND CHANCE (Poland, 1987)—Shot in 1981 while Poland was under martial law but suppressed for six years, Krzysztof Kieslowski’s film explores his fascination with the role of fate in life with three versions of a man’s life spun out from different possible reactions to a single incident. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues 7 pm, Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

BLUE (1993)—Derek Jarman’s final film, made as he was blind and dying from AIDS, is composed of a blue screen under which an elaborate sound design mixes music with readings from Jarman’s diaries. Presented by Hallwalls as a fundraiser for the 20th anniversary of the Ways in Being Gay festival. Thurs Nov. 6, 8pm. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE (1960)—After his fiancee is decapitated in an auto accident, a surgeon keeps her head alive while he searches for a new body upon which to transplant it. The cheapness and sleaziness of the production (the doc spends a lot of time leering at strippers he’s “auditioning”) only add to the shock value of this startlingly gory movie. Fri 7pm. Palace Theater, 31 Buffalo St., Hamburg (649–2295)

A BUCKET OF BLOOD (1959)—Roger Corman’s follow-up to Little Shop of Horrors is another gruesome comedy filmed at breathtaking speed on leftover sets, starring the legendary Dick Miller as a wannabe artist who rises to glory at the local beatnik hangout with his all-too realistic sculptures. With great sax music by Paul Horn and future game show host Bert Convy as a narc. Fri 8:30pm. Palace Theater, 31 Buffalo St., Hamburg (649–2295)

BURN AFTER READING—Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country For Old Men) are back in humorous mode with this spy comedy starring Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand as gym employees who discover the diary of CIA agent John Malkovich and decide to publish it. With George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, and J.K. Simmons. Sat 8pm; Tue 7:30pm. Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St. Fredonia (716-679-0891) www.fredopera.org

CARNIVAL OF SOULS (1962)—Like Night of the Living Dead, this is a classic of low-budget regional filmmaking from an industrial filmmaker who (unlike George Romero) never made another movie. A woman survives a car wreck, but is trapped in a small town where she is haunted by apparitions. Fri 9:45pm. Palace Theater, 31 Buffalo St., Hamburg (649–2295)

THE CORPSE GRINDERS (1972)—In this cult classic from the director of Astro Zombies, Ted V Mikels, house cats turn murderous when they eat food in which the secret ingredient is human corpses. As hilariously cheap as anything Ed Wood ever made—the corpse grinding machine alone is worth the price of admission. Starring no one you’ve ever heard of (it’s hardly the kind of movie actors would use as a stepping stone to Hollywood). Fri 10:15 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst 837-0376

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)

HALLOWEEN/ELECTION 2008 SPECTACULAR—Videos incorporating the relative horrors of All Hallows’ Eve and next week’s political showdown will be the centerpiece of Squeaky Wheel’s Halloween party, with prizes for best costumes. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St (884-7172) http://www.squeaky.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 midnight. Palace Theater, 31 Buffalo St., Hamburg (649–2295)

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, Fri 9pm. The Screening Room, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975)—Dig out your fishnet stockings and bustiers and get ready to do the Time Warp again with Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf and Magenta. Fri midnight. Palace Theater, 31 Buffalo St., Hamburg (649–2295)

STAGECOACH (1939)—John Ford’s classic western, with John Wayne in a star-making performance as a gunfighter at the center of a social microcosm aboard a stagecoach under attack by Indians. Co-starring Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, John Carradine, and Thomas Mitchell. Introduced by Dr. Robert Morace of the Daemen English Department. Mon, 7:30 pm. Wick Center, Daemen College, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8253)