OPENING THIS WEEK:

BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD—The 45h film in 50 years from director Sidney Lumet (Twelve Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, and too many more to mention) is an unsparing melodrama about the aftereffects of a poorly conceived robbery on the brothers who planned it (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke) and their family. Co-starring Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei, Rosemary Harris and Amy Ryan. See the interview with Lumet in this issue. Amherst, Eastern Hills

BEOWULF—Animated adaptation of the Norse legend of the warrior who stalks the monster Grendel. With the voices of Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Alison Lohman, Angelina Jolie, and Crispin Glover as Grendel. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (The Polar Express). Reviewed this issue. Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Transit Drive-In

LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA—One would hope that a film adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s much-loved novel would be one of the film events of the season, especially given a strong cast and a screenplay by Ronald Harwood (The Dresser, The Pianist). But the distributor is treating it like cold poop, sneaking it into town without screening. Caveat emptor. With Benjamin Bratt, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Javier Bardem, Liev Schreiber, John Leguizamo, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Hector Elizondo, and Laura Harring. Directed by Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit

MR. MAGORIUM’S WONDER EMPORIUM—Dustin Hoffman unleashes his inner child (not much of a trip) in this fantasy about the 243-year-old owner of a magical toy store who decides that it’s time to pass the reins to his assistant (Natalie Portman). Co-starring Jason Bateman and Zach Mills. The directorial debut of Zach Helm, who wrote Stranger Than Fiction. (See the interview with Dustin Hoffman in this issue.) Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit, Regal Elmwood

ETC:

BECOMING JANE—Anne Hathaway as a young Jane Austen. With James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell and Maggie Smith. Directed by Julian Jarrold (Kinky Boots). Fri 8 pm. Reg Lenna Civic Center, 116 E. Third St. Jamestown (484-7070) www.reglenna.com

CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS (1989)—Woody Allen’s bifurcated comedy-drama about an opthamologist (Martin Landau) who commits murder and a filmmaker (Allen) contemplates adultery. With Anjelica Huston, Claire Bloom, Joanna Gleason, Alan Alda, Sam Waterston, Mia Farrow and (see if you can spot them) Daryl Hannah and Mercedes Ruehl. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues. 7 pm, Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

DEATH AT A FUNERAL—Frank Oz (The Stepford Wives) directed this farce set in a small English village where the funeral of an elderly man brings out the worst in his heirs Tues., 11/20, 7:30 pm , Sat., 11/24, 8 pm. Reg Lenna Civic Center, 116 E. Third St. Jamestown (484-7070) www.reglenna.com

SILENT MOVIES—A comedy triple feature including two Buster Keaton classics, Our Hospitality (1923) and Cops (1922), along with Mel Brooks’ 1976 tribute to the slapstick era Silent Movie. One admission for all films. Fri-Sat 7pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst 837-0376

SUPERMARKET—Australian artists-in-residence Dan Monceaux and Emma Sterling present the world premiere of their experimental audio-visual work comprising abstract, animated and sampled imagery. The program also includes a collection of experimental shorts which have influenced the duo. Fri 8 pm. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St (884-7172) www.squeaky.org