Opening This Week:

STEP UP—Sequel, the title notwithstanding. With Rick Malambri, Adam G. Sevani, Sharni Vinson, and Facundo Lombard as “The Santiago Twins.” Directed by Jon Chu (Step Up 2). Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls

THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE—In this second adaptation of the popular series of novels by Stieg Larsson, journalist Mikael tries to clear Lisbeth’s name after she is accused of murder. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, and Lena Endre, Directed by Daniel Alfredson. Reviewed this issue. Eastern Hills

THE KILLER INSIDE ME—Controversial adaptation of the Jim Thompson novel starring Casey Affleck as a Texas deputy who finds murder a hard habit to break. Co-starring Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Ned Beatty, Elias Koteas, and Bill Pullman. Directed by Michael Winterbottom (9 Songs). Reviewed this issue. Amherst

THE OTHER GUYS—Will Ferrell and his regular collaborator Adam McKay take a shot at the buddy cop genre with Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as desk-bound Manhattan detectives trying to break out into the street. Co-starring Michael Keaton, Steve Googan, and Eva Mendes. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Sunset Drive-In, Transit Drive-In

ETC:

THE GENERAL (1927)—Widely considered Buster Keaton’s crowning achievement, which is to say, one of the greatest comedies in cinema history. He stars as a Southern engineer of a train during the Civil War, and the stunt sequences involving the real, full-sized locomotive are still astonishing. Fri. 8 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst (837-0376 / www.screeningroom.net)

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)

LITTLE BIG MAN (1971)—Arthur Penn’s rollickingly entertaining adaptation of Thomas Berger’s picaresque novel starring Dustin Hoffman as the only white survivor of the battle at Little Big Horn. Co-starring Faye Dunaway, Chief Dan George, and Richard Mulligan. 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)

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)

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.