Opening This Week:

CHERI—The director, screenwriter and star of Dangerous Liaisons reunite for this adaptation of two Colette novels about an aging courtesan (Michelle Pfeiffer) who takes the callow son of a rival for a lover. With Rupert Friend, Kathy Bates, Felicity Jones, Frances Tomelty, and Anita Pallenberg. Directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen). A review will be posted on the Artvoice Web site on Friday. North Park

FOOD INC.—Documentary inspired by the books The Omnivore’s Dilemma and Fast Food Nation about the nature of factory food processing in modern America. Directed by Robert Kenner. Reviewed this issue. Eastern Hills

ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS—Animated sequel with the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah and Simon Pegg. Directed by Carlos Saldanha and Mike Thurmeier. Reviewed this issue. Angola, Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Sunset Drive-In, Transit Drive-In

PUBLIC ENEMIES—G-Man Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) goes after Depression era gangsters Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd and of course John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). Co-starring Marion Cotillard, Leelee Sobieski, David Wenham, Stephen Dorff, and Billy Crudup. Directed by Michael Mann (The Insider). Reviewed this issue. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Sunset Drive-In, Transit Drive-In

WHATEVER WORKS—New Woody Allen comedy starring Larry David as a curmudgeon whose life is changed when he meets a Southern runaway (Evan Rachel Wood) With Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Michael McKean, Henry Cavill, and Christopher Evan Welch. Reviewed this issue. Amherst

ETC:

DON’T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT (1973)—Not quite a cult classic, this no-budget Texas horror film is still effectively creepy. At a hospital for the criminally insane, the patients are allowed to act out their delusions. But just who is in charge? Starring no one you’ve ever heard of and directed by S. F. Brownrigg. Fri. 9:15 pm The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)

HORRORS OF SPIDER ISLAND (1960)—Sleazy West German horror movie (originally marketed as a sexploitation feature) about showgirls who crash on an island and are menaced by a werespider. Starring Alex D’Arcy and Barbara Valentin. Directed by Fritz Bottger. Fri 7:30 pm The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)