Opening This Week

IN THE LOOP—Political satire from British TV sketch comedy master Armando Iannucci, with aides to the US president and the British prime minister trying to stop them from launching a gratuitous war. Starring Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Gina McKee, James Gandolfini, and Anna Chlumsky. North Park

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS—World War II, Quentin Tarantino style. Starring Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Diane Kruger, and Til Schweiger. Reviewed this issue. Amherst, Delevan Drive In, Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Sunset Drive-In, Transit Drive-In

POST GRAD—The Gilmore Girls’ Alexis Bledel as a new college graduate who has to move back in with her family as she looks for a career. Co-starring Zach Gilford, Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett, and J.K. Simmons. Directed by Vicky Jenson (Shark Tale). Flix, Maple Ridge, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

SHORTS—Special effects and slapstick meet in a new family comedy from Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids) about the havoc that a wish-granting rock wreaks on a suburban town. Starring Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Leslie Mann, Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, and James Spader. Reviewed this issue. Delevan Drive In, Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Sunset Drive-In, Transit Drive-In

ETC

BORDERLINE (1950)—Action comedy starring Fred MacMurray and Claire Trevor as government agents, each working for different agencies and neither aware that the other is also a Fed as they investigate drug smuggling on the Mexican border. Co-starring Raymond Burr. Directed by William A. Seiter (If I Had a Million). Fri-Sat 8:45 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)

DICK TRACY DETECTIVE (1945)—Not to be confused with Dick Tracy CPA. The detective investigates a series of brutal murders in the first of a lukewarm series of B movies adapted from the then-popular comic strip. Starring Morgan Conway, Anne Jeffreys, Jane Greer, and Mike Mazurki as “Splitface.” Directed by William Berke. Fri-Sat 7:30 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)

THE LAST LAUGH (Germany, 1924)— F. W. Murnau’s classic silent film about a proud hotel doorman who is humiliated when stripped of his uniform will be shown under the stars with a live soundtrack by sound artist Mike Basinski. Free and open to the public. Presented by Squeaky Wheel. Fri 8:30 pm. Albright Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave. (882-8700)

THE LONG HOT SUMMER (1958)—An early example of the kind of role that dominated Paul Newman’s career casts him as a hellraiser who moves to a new town and gets caught up in a family dispute. Martin Ritt (Hud) directed this loose adaptation of a William Faulkner novel. With Joanne Woodward, Anthony Franciosa, Orson Welles, Lee Remick, and Angela Lansbury. The film will be preceded by a performance on the theater’s Wurlitzer organ. Thurs Aug. 20, 7pm Riviera Theater, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda (692-2413)

SLAP SHOT (1977)—Paul Newman as an aging hockey player who revives his second-rate team by encouraging them to get into more fights on the ice. Classic 1970s comedy (replete with hideous clothes) that became one of Newman’s biggest hits. Co-starring Strother Martin, Michael Ontkean, Jennifer Warren, Lindsay Crouse, Jerry Houser, Melinda Dillon, M. Emmet Walsh, and Swoosie Kurtz. Directed by George Roy Hill (The Sting). The film will be preceded by a performance on the theater’s Wurlitzer organ. Thurs Aug. 27 7pm. Riviera Theater, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda (692-2413)

SPECULATE:QUEER (RE)VISIONS—Program of short films that reimagine history, including “Putting The Balls Away” (2008), a reenactment of the 1973 Billie Jean King/Bobby Riggs tennis match; “Jean Genet In Chicago” (2006), which places the French writer at the 1968 National Democratic Convention, and “Grapefruit” (1989), an alternative portrait of The Beatles performed by an all female cast. Fri 8pm. Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave. (854-1694) www.hallwalls.org