Friday’s openings: Charlton Heston redux

Seems when directors age, they turn curiously religious. That would explain why Darren Aronofsky (45) made "Noah" and why Ridley Scott (77) has made his version of "Exodus: Gods and Kings," which is the only major mainstream opening this coming weekend. Then again, things in the Old Testament do blow up pretty good.

Friday's openings are as follows:

"Exodus: Gods and Kings": Welsh-born Christian Bale plays Moses, and Australia's Joel Edgerton steps in as Rhamses in Scott's version of the Bible story. So, does that make Edgerton The Joker to Bale's biblical Batman?

And at the Magic Lantern:

"Citizenfour": Continuing its recent streak of screening documentaries, the Lantern presents this look at Edward Snowden, the man most famous for leaking National Security Agency files. Screening times might be confidential, so make sure to call the theater and ask for "Jonathan."

"The Immortalists": In this English-made narrative film, two biologists tackle the problem of human aging with the motto, "Live forever, or die trying." Sponsored by Cialis.