Opening This Week:

GOMORRAH—Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes and Italy’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Oscars was this gritty examination of the Camorra, the organized crime organization that controls Naples. Directed by Matteo Garrone (The Embalmer). Reviewed this issue. North Park

THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT—With a title that sounds like a Count Floyd parody, the tale of a family whose trouble starts when they move into a house which, unbeknownst to them, is a reconditioned mortuary. You’d think there was a housing shortage or something. Starring Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Elias Koteas, Amanda Crew, and Martin Donovan. Directed by Peter Cornwell. Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Quaker, Regal Walden Galleria

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS—Animation with Resee Witherspoon as the voice of a girl who, after being turned into a giant by radiation, is taken to a secret government where other such monsters are stored. Other voices by Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland, , Stephen Colbert, Paul Rudd, Jeffrey Tambor, and Amy Poehler. Directed by Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon. Aurora, Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Quaker, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive-In

12 ROUNDS—Pro wrestler John Cena as a cop forced into a dozen Herculean tasks by a vengeful terrorist. If they’re going to cast wrestlers as movie heroes, can’t they use wrestlers for bad guys too? With Aidan Gillen, Ashley Scott, and Steve Harris. Directed by Renny Harlin (The Adventures of Ford Fairlane). Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Quaker, Regal Walden Galleria

ETC:

THE ASCENT (USSR, 1976)—A powerful account of the Russian peoples’ encounter with the Nazis during WWII. Cut off from their platoon, two Russian partisans are captured by the Nazis and tortured. Director Larisa Shepitko was married to Elim Klimov, with whose Come and See this shares themes of learning from mankind’s history of atrocities. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tue, 7pm. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022)

THE CAKE EATERS—Actress Mary Stuart Masterson makes her directorial debut with this ensemble drama set in a rural town in downstate New York where two families struggle with issues of death and separation. Starring Kristen Stewart, Bruce Dern, Elizabeth Ashley, Talia Balsam, and Jayce Bartok. Reviewed this issue. Fri 7:15, 9:15pm; Sat 9:15pm, Sun & Tues 7:30pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net

JULIET OF THE SPIRITS (Italy, 1965)—Federico Fellini’s delightful, visually inventive fantasy is a showcase for his wife, Giuiletta Masina. She plays a bored Roman housewife who finds relief from her mundane life and philandering husband through sensual escapades in the spirit realm of her subconscious. Introduced by Bruce Jackson and Diane Christian. Thurs Mar. 26, 7:30 pm. Albright Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave. (882.8700)

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)

THE VILLAGE BARBERSHOP—Rambling but likeable independent comedy-drama starring John Ratzenberger as an aging barber forced to take on a young woman (Shelly Cole) as a partner. Directed by Chris J. Ford. Sat 7:15pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net

WE NEED FOOD NOT BOMBS and SHELTER: A SQUATUMENTARY—Two short documentaries (the first by Buffalo filmmaker Ron Douglas) about finding alternate models for feeding and housing people. Fri 8pm. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St (884-7172) www.squeaky.org