OPENING THIS WEEK:

27 Dresses—Wedding comedy (when did that become a genre?) starring Katherine Heigl as a woman preparing for her sister’s wedding despite being in love with her prospective brother-in-law. With James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Judy Greer and Edward Burns. Directed by choreographer Anne Fletcher (Step Up). Flix, Maple Ridge, Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit

CLOVERFIELD—Manhattan teens meet a giant monster in a movie the studio is doing its best to keep away from the critics. Starring Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, and T.J. Miller. Directed by Matt Reeves (The Pallbearer). Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade , Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit

MAD MONEY—Comedy starring Diane Keaton, Katie Holmes and Queen Latifah as employees of the Federal Reserve who plot to steal cash that is scheduled to be burned. Co-starring Ted Danson. Directed by Callie Khouri (Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood). Flix, Maple Ridge, Market Arcade , Regal Elmwood, Regal Hollywood, Regal Quaker, Regal Transit

THERE WILL BE BLOOD—Daniel Day-Lewis stars in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film set against the California oil boom of the early 20th century. With Paul Dano, Kevin J. O’Connor and Dillon Freasier. Reviewed this issue. North Park

ETC:

CAT PEOPLE (1942)—The first of producer Val Lewton’s classic low-budget horror films that sought effect from what they didn’t show. A sexually repressed Serbian woman (Simone Simon) is haunted by the belief that she is possessed by the spirit of a panther. An unusual and compelling exercise in atmosphere and suspense. Starring Kent Smith, Tom Conway and Jane Randolph. Directed by Jacques Tourneur. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues. 7 pm, Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

THE CRAWLING EYE (a.k.a. The Trollenberg Terror, 1958)—Future Hammer mainstay Jimmy Sangster scripted this British horror movie set at a Swiss resort town where an unusual cloud hides murderous alien monsters. Starring Forrest Tucker, Laurence Payne, Janet Munro and Warren Mitchell. Directed by Quentin Lawrence. Fri 7:15 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst 837-0376

AN EVENING WITH FILMMAKER SHELLY NIRO—The Mohawk artist and filmmaker will present several short films dealing with pertinent issues faced by contemporary Native North American society. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Shelley Niro: Outside the Columns at the UB Art Gallery. Thurs Jan. 24, 8 pm. Hallwalls , 341 Delaware Ave (854-1694) www. Hallwalls.org

LISA AND THE DEVIL (1973)—Typically lurid but stylish thriller from Italian director Mario Bava (Black Sunday) starring Elke Sommer as a woman stranded at a creepy castle. Also known as The House of Exorcism. With Telly Savalas, Sylva Koscina and Alessio Orano. Fri 9:15 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst 837-0376

A PROMISE TO THE DEAD: THE EXILE JOURNEY OF ARIEL DORFMAN—Canadian filmmaker Peter Raymont and author Ariel Dorfman collaborated on this documentary exploring the writer’s experiences in Chile during the times of Salvador Allende and General Augusto Pinochet. Sat, 8 pm. Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave (854-1694) www. Hallwalls.org