Opening This Week:

IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY—A depressed teenager commits himself to a psychiatric unit that has temporarily been merged with an adult clinic. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson). Reviewed this issue. Starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts and Viola Davis. Amherst, Regal Regal Quaker,Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

JACK GOES BOATING—Philip Seymour Hoffman directed this adaptation of a play (in which he also starred) about a limo driver who gets less than useful lessons in love from his married co-worker. With John Ortiz, Amy Ryan and Daphne Rubin-Vega. Reviewed this issue. North Park

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT—Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel as a couple who become caretakers of an orphaned girl after her parents are killed. Directed by Greg Berlanti (The Broken Hearts Club). Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

MY SOUL TO TAKE—A serial killer stalks small town kids. If that sounds like a Wes Craven movie, that’s because it is. Starring Max Thieriot, Emily Meade and Frank Grillo. Flix, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, McKinley, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive-In

NEVER LET ME GO—Adaptation of the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro about three young people living with the knowledge of foreshortened lives in a dystopian England. See the interview with Ishiguro and scripter Alex Garland this issue. Starring Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley, Charlotte Rampling and Sally Hawkins. Directed by Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo). Amherst, Eastern Hills

ETC:

BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL—Lots of movies at lots of places, including the Market Arcade, North Park, Screening Room, HD Video Café, and the downtown library. See the feature story this issue for more information.

FOR THE NEXT 7 GENERATIONS: THE GRANDMOTHERS SPEAK—Documentary about grandmothers from 13 indigenous tribes around the world on a mission to promote world peace. Directed by Carole Hart. Free and open to the public; donations gratefully accepted. Sat 6:30 pm. Niagara Arts & Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls.

LIBELED LADY (1936)—Opening the 38th season of the Old Chestnut Film Society is this all-star screwball comedy with William Powell romancing both Myrna Loy and Jean Harlow as part of a convoluted plot to help out newspaper editor Spencer Tracy. Directed by Jack Conway (A Tale of Two Cities). Fri, 7:30 pm. The Old Chestnut Film Society, Philip Sheridan School, 3200 Elmwood (836-4757)

WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966)—Nominated for 13 Academy Awards (and winner of five, including acting Oscars for Elizabeth Taylor and Sandy Dennis), this lacerating portrait of an academic marriage is as fascinating for its nastily quotable dialogue (from Edward Albee’s play) as for its performances (Richard Burton and George Segal are the equal of their female counterparts). Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues. 7 pm. Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).