Opening This Week:

STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI—Video game adaptation. Starring Kristin Kreuk, Chris Klein, Neal McDonough, and Robin Shou. Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak (Romeo Must Die). Flix, McKinley, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

ETC:

THE HITCHHIKER (1953)—Women had their place in the world of film noir, and it most definitely was not behind the camera. The exception was actress-turned-director Ida Lupino. This crackling suspense drama about two California businessman (Edmond O’Brien, Frank Lovejoy) on a camping trip who contend with a psychotic escaped convict (William Talman) may not be her most personal film, but it’s her most technically accomplished. Sat 7:30 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst 837-0376

LE CERCLE ROUGE (THE RED CIRCLE)—Uncut version (unseen in the US until a few years ago) of the 1970 crime thriller by Jean-Pierre Melville, the master of the genre and an acknowledged influence on the films of John Woo and Quentin Tarantino. Don’t be expecting a lot of violence and cinematic razzle-dazzle, though: Melville’s films (the best known is Le Samourai) were laconic and fatalistic studies of criminal professionalism. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues 7 pm, Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

LAURA (1944)—Dana Andrews is the police detective who falls in love with the portrait of the woman whose murder he is investigating in this film noir classic. Co-starring Gene Tierney, Vincent Price and Clifton Webb. Directed by Otto Preminger. Sat 9pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst 837-0376

MARDI GRAS: MADE IN CHINA—Award-winning documentary contrasting consumerist culture with the harsh lives of Chinese factory workers who manufacture Mardi Gras beads. Sat 8pm. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St

THE REAL GREAT DEBATERS OF WILEY COLLEGE—Documentary about the 1935 debate team from an African-American college in northeast Texas that defied expectations when they beat the champion team from USC. The story was the inspiration for last year’s film starring Denzel Washington). Concluding the 2009 WNY Black Film Festival. Sun. 3pm. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

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. Sat midnight. Palace Theater, 31 Buffalo St., Hamburg (649–2295)

THE THIRD MAN (Great Britain, 1949)—Even though he doesn’t appear as Harry Lime until the last few minutes of this post war suspense drama, Orson Welles is usually accused of/credited with stealing it. But take him away and you’d still have a memorable film, with Joseph Cotton searching the streets of Vienna for clues about the death of his friend. With atmospheric photography and that zither tune that will stick in your head for days. Thurs 2/26 7:15pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376)

I VITELLONI (Italy, 1953)—Federico Fellini’s first great success, an autobiographical look at five young loafers and dreamers confronting adulthood in a small seaside town. Starring Franco Interlenghi and Alberto Sordi. Introduced by Bruce Jackson and Diane Christian. Thurs March 5, 7:30 pm. Albright Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave. (882.8700)