OPENING THIS WEEK:

CHARLIE BARTLETT—Teen comedy starring Anton Yelchin as a rich kid kicked out of prep school who finds success at public school by becoming an unofficial counselor. With Robert Downey Jr. and Hope Davis. Directed by former editor Jon Poll. Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker

IN BRUGES—Dark comedy starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as Irish hit men sent to the medieval Belgian city to hide out after an assignment goes bad. Co-starring Ralph Fiennes and Thekla Reuten. Directed by Martin McDonagh. Reviewed this issue. Amherst

VANTAGE POINT—Five strangers at a political rally try to piece together their different perspectives on what appeared to be an attempt to assassinate the president. Starring Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Bruce McGill, Sigourney Weaver, and William Hurt. Directed by Pete Travis. Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood

WITLESS PROTECTION—A new vehicle for sleeveless comic Larry The Cable Guy. Does that mean that someone actually paid to see the last one? Directed by Charles Robert Carner. McKinley

ETC:

THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE (Italy, 1970)—Dario Argento’s directorial debut set the pattern for his distinctive oeuvre: an innocent man becomes involved in the hunt for a seemingly psychotic, brutal murderer, whose attacks form the set pieces around which the film is built. The music (by Ennio Morricone) and widescreen photography (by Vittorio Storaro) are both first rate. Starring Tony Musante and Suzy Kendall. Fri 9pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)

BRETT KASHMERE—A program of experimental work by the Canadian filmmaker, including his new Valery’s Ankle, about the spectacle of hockey violence, particularly in the famous 1972 game between Canada and the Soviet Union team. Sat 8pm. Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave. (854-1694) www.hallwalls.org

HANGOVER SQUARE (1945)—The director (John Brahm) and star (Laird Cregar, who died shortly after filming was completed, at the age of 28) of The Lodger reunite in this noirish thriller about a high-strung composer who blacks out when he hears dissonant musical passages. The problem is, what does he do during those blackouts? Linda Darnell, George Sanders and Alan Napier. Fri 7:30pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst 837-0376

HARAKIRI (Japan, 1962)—Classic Samurai film that mixes action with Shakespearean drama in telling the story of a 17th century family devastated by the attitude of society toward its warriors during peacetime. Tatsuya Nakadai (who starred in Akira Kurosawa’s King Lear adaptation, Ran) plays an old warrior seeking revenge on those who drove his son-in-law to commit ritual suicide. Directed by Masaki Kobayashi (Kwaidan, The Human Condition). Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tue 7pm, Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN—Adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy novel about a Texas hunter who finds $2 million from a drug deal gone bad, only to be stalked by a relentless killer who wants it back. Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald, Tess Harper, Barry Corbin, and Stephen Root. Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen (Blood Simple). Sat 8pm; Tue 7:30pm. Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St. Fredonia (716-679-0891) www.fredopera.org

PAMELA ENZ—The New York-based filmmaker, writer and performance artist presents an evening of her work that includes a filmed interview with her mentor, actor and photographer Sam Shaw. Fri 8pm. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St. (884-7172)