OPENING THIS WEEK:

THE DARK KNIGHT—The biggest movie of the year returns to the big(gest) screen, where it was meant to be seen (I don’t care how big your Blu-Ray screen is). Regal Transit Imax

INKHEART— Adaptation of the popular children’s book starring Brendan Fraser as a bookbinder with the power to make the books he reads aloud come to life. Co-starring Eliza Bennett, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, and Sienna Guillory. Directed by Iain Softley (K-PAX). Reviewed this issue. Maple Ridge, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Walden Galleria

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD—Adaptation of the Richard Yates novel about the spiritual disintegration of a couple living in suburban Connecticut in the mid-1950s. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon and Kathy Bates. Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty). Reviewed this issue. North Park, Regal Quaker

UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS—Prequel to last year’s vampire movie. Starring Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy and Rhona Mitra. Directed by former special effects technician Patrick Tatopoulos. Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit

ETC:

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL—Acclaimed documentary about how the cosmetic and fashion industries thrive by promoting an unhealthy physical self-images to women. Director Darryl Roberts will be present for the Saturday screening. Sat 7, Sun 1 7 & 9, Mon 7 & 9. Hamburg Palace Theatre, 31 Buffalo St, Hamburg (649-2295) www.hamburgpalace.com

LADY OF BURLESQUE: THE G-STRING MURDERS (1943)—Enjoyable murder mystery set at a burlesque house where the new star attraction (who else but Barbara Stanwyck) tries to figure out who is killing her rivals. Co-starring Michael O’Shea, Iris Adrian, J. Edward Bromberg, Pinky Lee and Victoria Faust (no relation). Directed by William A. Wellman. Fri-Sat, 9 pm. The Screening Room, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net

LOLLIPOP GENERATION— Toronto artist and Bruce LaBruce collaborator G.B. Jones will be present for this screening of her new film, described by Eye weekly as a loose narrative about a “cabal of baby-faced hooligans, queer punks and hustlers as they lick suckers, make out and make mischief in seedy alleyways and crash pads across North America.” Presented as part of the 20th anniversary of Ways in Being Gay. Sat 8pm. Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave. (854-1694) www.hallwalls.org

MONSIEUR VERDOUX (1947)—Orson Welles gave Charlie Chaplin the idea for this dark comedy in which Chaplin plays a man who finds a way to support his children and infirm wife—by marrying and killing rich widows. This engagement will feature a newly-struck 35mm print. Tues-Thurs 7pm. Hamburg Palace Theatre, 31 Buffalo St, Hamburg (649-2295) www.hamburgpalace.com

PICKUP ON SOUTH STREET (1953)—Relatively tame by his usually overheated, two-fisted standards, Sam Fuller’s suspense thriller was one of his biggest hits. Richard Widmark stars as a pickpocket who unknowingly gets his hands on microfilm that had been on transit to enemy agents. With great urban locations, brash dialogue and colorful characters. Co-starring Jean Peters and Thelma Ritter. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues 7 p.m. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022)

20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1916)—The first film version of Jules Verne’s classic tale (mixed with plot elements from another Verne novel, The Mysterious Island) was the first movie to use underwater photography. Allen Holubar stars as Captain Nemo, whose military efforts mirror preparations for the war that the world was facing when this feature was filmed. The film will be accompanied by the Wurlitzer organ. Directed by Stuart Paton. Sun 2 pm. Shea’s Buffalo, 646 Main St.

YOUNG AT HEART—Documentary about a Northampton, MA chorus, whose average age is 81, that tours the world singing songs by U2, Talking Heads, James Brown, The Clash, Sonic Youth, Coldplay and other contemporary bands. Fri-Sat, 7 pm. The Screening Room, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net