Opening This Week

CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE—Sequel, with contributions from no one who made the original, as if anyone cares. Starring Chris O’Donnell, Jack McBrayer and Fred Armisen. Directed by Brad Peyton. Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Galleria, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Sunset Drive-In, Transit Drive-In

DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS—Remake of the French comedy The Dinner Game, starring Steve Carrell as a dweeb befriended by junior executive Paul Rudd, who has to find a loser to bring to a cruel contest run by his boss. Co-starring Zach Galifianakis, Jemaine Clement, Stephanie Szostak, Lucy Punch, Bruce Greenwood, Ron Livingston, and Kristen Schaal. See the interview with director Jay Roach this issue. Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Galleria, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Sunset Drive-In, Transit Drive-In

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT—Comedy starring Julianne Moore and Annette Bening as a lesbian couple whose teenaged children shake up the family by tracking down the sperm donor (Mark Ruffalo) who is their biological father. Co-starring Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson. Directed by Lisa Cholodenko (Laurel Canyon). Reviewed this issue. Amherst, Eastern Hills

ETC:

CINEMA PARADISO (Italy, 1989)—Giuseppe Tornatore’s nostalgic drama about a man recalling his childhood in Sicily where he helped run the local movie theater. Ennio Morricone’s memorable score is a key element in the success of this broadly popular film. The film will be followed by a public discussion. Fri 7 pm. Reception Room, Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 4369 S. Buffalo St

THE GODFATHER (1972)—The original. Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, Diane Keaton, John Cazale. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Fri-Thurs 3, 6:30 pm. HD Video Café, 5445 Transit Rd, Williamsville (688-4933 / www.hdvideocafe.com)

KRAMER VS. KRAMER (1979)—Workaholic Dustin Hoffman becomes a single father after wife Meryl Streep leaves him in the movie that won Oscars for Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director and Adapted Screenplay. Directed by Robert Benton (Places in the Heart). The film will be preceded by a performance on the theater’s Wurlitzer organ. Thurs July 29, 7pm. Riviera Theater, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda (692-2413)

MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)—Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight as a pair of would-be hustlers in John Schlesinger’s grim but unforgettable look at life on the outs in Manhattan. Both stars were nominated for Best Actor but lost to John Wayne. The film will be preceded by a performance on the theater’s Wurlitzer organ. Thurs July 29, 7pm. Riviera Theater, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda (692-2413)

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968)—It’s hard to explain just how shocking George Romero’s film was when it first leaked into drive-ins a quarter century ago. Its no-budget verisimilitude is still effective, as long as you can see it with an audience not intent on making a joke of it. The Friday screening will take place outdoors and will be preceded by a Best Zombie Costume Contest. Fri 10, Sat 4 7. Angola Screening Room, Center & North Main. Village of Angola

THE SECRET OF KELLS—Oscar-nominated animated film set in medieval Ireland, where a boy living in a monastery tries to save a sacred book. With the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Liam Hourican, Mick Lally, Evan McGuire, and Christen Mooney. Directed by Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey. Fri-Thurs 10 am, 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 pm (no evening shows on Friday). HD Video Café, 5445 Transit Rd, Williamsville (688-4933 / www.hdvideocafe.com)

“STOP + GO”—Squeaky Wheel’s annual outdoor animation festival features stop-motion animation from a wide range of filmmakers curated by San Francisco Bay Area artist and animator Sarah Klein. The screening will be followed by a repeat of last week’s rained-out program “The Great Disaster.” Free and open to the public. Sat. 8 pm, Days Park in Allentown. In case of rain, the event will be moved to Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St. (884-7172 / www.squeaky.org)

THE UNKNOWN (1927)—In many ways a precursor to his infamous Freaks (and a clear inspiration for Santa Sangre), this earlier Tod Browning film draws on his circus background with a bizarre story starring Lon Chaney as a man hiding from the police by disguising himself as an armless knife thrower. Co-starring Joan Crawford as a circus gypsy who is disgusted by hands (!). Presented by Squeaky Wheel, the film will be accompanied with a live score by electronic musician Bill Sack. Free and open to the public. Thurs Aug. 5, 8 pm. Burchfield-Penney Art Center, Outdoor Terrace, 1300 Elmwood Ave.