As a preamble to Heath Ledger’s upcoming posthumous portrayal of the Joker in “The Dark Knight”, DC Comics has reissued the seminal work on Batman’s most nefarious foe. Originally printed as a short series in 1988, Batman: The Killing Joke is famed comic scribe Alan Moore’s origin tale that offers a dark, bitter rendering of the events that transformed one normal man into a master of terror and tyranny.

NOW SHOWING AT THE CINEMA CENTRE 8:
 “WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS:” Two people discover they’ve gotten married following a night of debauchery in Vegas, with one of them winning a jackpot after playing the other’s quarter.

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AT MOVIES 6:
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian:” “Prince Caspian” finds the Pevensie siblings pulled back into the land of Narnia, where a thousand years have passed since they left.

Operating as an opening act for the flood of summer superhero movies, “Iron Man” flies to theaters with a successful blend of action, humor, and a tinge of topical drama.

NOW SHOWING AT THE CINEMA CENTRE 8:
“MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY:” A seasoned governess gets a taste of a more glamorous, exciting lifestyle when she’s sent to work in the home of a nightclub performer and entrusted with her highly unrespectable affairs.

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AT MOVIES 6:
“Iron Man:” Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon.

“The Orphanage” is Hispanic director Juan Antonio Bayona’s foray into the world of supernatural horror. “Pan’s Labyrinth” director Guillermo Del Toro produced the film, running with first-timer Sergio Sanchez’s moody script. The film received mainstream recognition through numerous critics’ choice awards and a successful North American theatrical run throughout the early Spring. “The Orphanage” arrived on DVD April 22.

“The Forbidden Kingdom” is a martial arts/fantasy story that finally unites two of the most prolific kung-fu actors (Jackie Chan and Jet Li) in one movie. The film is directed by Rob Minkoff, working from John Fusco’s script, and costars Michael Angarano (“Almost Famous”) and Collin Chou. Most of the film is filmed on-location in China, with Peter Pau’s cinematography and Yuen Woo Ping’s action choreography highlighting the slightly tame direction.