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Film Now Playing

Black Nativity

Opening:

BLACK NATIVITY—Dramatization of Langston Hughes’ musical recasting the Biblical story into an urban setting. Starring Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Tyrese Gibson, Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige. Directed by Kasi Lemmons (The Caveman’s Valentine). Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

THE BOOK THIEF—In World War II Germany a young girl obsessed with books is sent to live with a couple that is secretly sheltering a Jewish refugee. Starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and Sophie Nélisse. Directed by Brian Percival (A Boy Called Dad). Eastern Hills, Maple Ridge, Regal Quaker, Regal Walden Galleria

FROZEN—Disney animation based on Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow Queen.” Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria, Transit Drive-In

HOMEFRONT— Sylvester Stallone wrote this action movie starring Jason Statham as a retired DEA agent who tangles with smalltown meth maker James Franco.Co-starring Winona Ryder, Kate Bosworth and Clancy Brown. Directed by Gary Fleder (Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead). Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Niagara Falls, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Walden Galleria

PHILOMENA—Steve Coogan (who also scripted) as a journalist helping an Irish woman (Judi Dench) find the son she was forced to give up for adoption as a teenager. With Sophie Kennedy Clark and Mare Winningham. Directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen). Reviewed this issue. Amherst, Eastern Hills

ETC:

ANIMOSITY—A young couple moves into a house in a secluded rural section of Pennsylvania, and the wife becomes disturbed by strange happenings. A genuinely original script, well acted and smartly filmed. An encore screening from the recent Buffalo Dreams Film Festival, including the short “He’s Not Looking So Good.” Screening Room

THE COLOR OF THE CHAMELEON—From Bulgaria, an intricate spy movie parody following a strange young man who is recruited by the secret police during the Communist regime before turning his knowledge to his own uses after the fall. Directed by Emil Christov. Reviewed this issue. Squeaky Wheel

JUDAS GHOST—A team of professional spook busters tackles an infestation in an old school building in this British adaptation of one of Simon R. Green’s Ghost Finders books. Director Simon Pearce offers a textbook example of taking a seeming limitation (all the action is confined to a single large room) and turning it to his advantage with imaginative camerawork and lighting. An encore screening from the recent Buffalo Dreams Film Festival, including the short “Broken Wings.” Screening Room

RICHARD II—From Stratford-on-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s presents David Tennant as the medieval king of England. With Oliver Ford Davies, Michael Pennington and Nigel Lindsay. Directed by Gregory Doran. Amherst