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Editor's note: Comment on today's "Cinema Chat" for a chance to win free movie tickets to the Michigan Theater. Some time between now and 6 a.m. Wednesday, leave a comment on this column, written by the Michigan Theater's Russ Collins. Offer your opinion on a recent movie you've seen, or on anything Russ mentions. We'll randomly select a winner and notify that person via the email address they signed up with. They will get two passes to a movie of their choice.

Scorsese, Almodóvar, short runs and movie shorts are the film fare in Ann Arbor this week. Quite enough reason to get out of the house and go on out to the movies!

Scorsese and DiCaprio again — a good thing “Shutter Island” by director Martin Scorsese (“Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Gangs of New York,” “Cape Fear” and so many more) is a thriller about a psychotic killer (Emily Mortimer) who disappears from a mental institution. A pair of U.S. Marshals (Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo DiCaprio) race against the clock in order to track her down. Critics are finding much to praise about Scorsese’s latest: “A remarkable high-wire act, performed without a net and exploiting all the accumulated skills of a consummate artist. It dazzles and provokes,” says The Hollywood Reporter. “Shutter Island” will play at your favorite multiplex.

Penelope Cruz and Pedro Almodóvar — Enough said! “Broken Embraces” is directed by the acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar (“Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” “All About My Mother,” “Volver”) and stars his muse Penélope Cruz. It’s about an aging filmmaker who tells his assistant about life before the accident that left him blind. This entertaining tale includes his torrid affair with an aspiring actress (Penélope Cruz), the agent that betrayed him and a deceitful financier.

The always tough-to-please Village Voice was impressed: “Equal parts comic melodrama and film noir and twice as fun as it ought to be. ‘Broken Embraces’ boasts more bifurcations than any 2 Hitchcock classics.” Opens Friday at the Michigan Theater. Short runs “La Danse,” the Fredrick Wiseman documentary on the world-famous Opéra National de Paris, will have its final screening today, Thursday, February 18 at 7:15 p.m. at the Michigan.

“Black Orpheus,” a 1959 film classic from Brazil, continues the Michigan Theater’s World Cinema Film Series on Monday, February 22 at 7 p.m. It is a superb retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice Greek legend, set against Rio de Janeiro's madness during Carnival. “Black Orpheus” earned an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

“William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe,” an interesting documentary put together by the attorney’s daughters Sarah and Emily. Kunstler’s controversial career and high-profile clients solidified his place in history as one of the most famous — and reviled — 20th-century lawyers. One show only, Wednesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. at the Michigan. This film will also be shown at the Jewish Film Festival in April.

Oscar-nominated short films One of my favorite film experiences of the year is seeing the Oscar Nominated Short Films on the BIG screen. These films are always excellent; plus, when Academy Award night arrives, you can impress your friends by having informed opinions as they pass out the Oscars for shorts. This year Oscars will be bestowed on Sunday, March 7 at 8 p.m. You can see this year’s Academy Award®-nominated short films at the Michigan Theater from Friday, February 19 through Wednesday February 24. The Live Action Short film nominees you will see:

• “The Door,” about a man and his family dealing with the terrible aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster in Russia. • “Instead of Abracadabra.” A Swedish film of a young man who dreams of becoming a magician, while his exasperated father wishes he would find himself a job. • “Kavi,” a compelling film about an east Indian boy and his parents, forced to work as slave labor in a brick kiln. • “Miracle Fish,” An Australian film about an 8-year-old boy who receives an unusual paper fish for his birthday. • “The New Tenants,” A Danish film of 2 men who move into an apartment and find themselves entangled in its terrifying history.

The Animated Short Film nominees you will see:

• “French Roast,” A French computer animated film set in a fancy Parisian café. An uptight businessman is about to pay the check when he finds out that he has lost his wallet. To save time he decides to order more coffee. • “Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty,” An Irish mixed animation about a seemingly sweet old lady who loses the plot as she tells her version of “Sleeping Beauty” to her terrified granddaughter. • “The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte),” A Spanish computer animation of the Grim Reaper and a self-satisfied doctor’s battle over the life of an elderly woman. • “Logorama,” In a world made up entirely of trademarks and brand names, Michelin Man cops pursue a criminal Ronald McDonald. I saw this film a Sundance and it is lots of fun! • Wallace and Gromit in “A Matter of Loaf and Death.” As a serial killer threatens the city's bakers, the English heroes, Wallace and Gromit, now bakery owners, meet a mysterious woman and her poodle.

See you at the movies — shorts, features and all!

Russ Collins is executive director of the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Tune in to the audio version of “Cinema Chat” on WEMU radio (89.1-FM) each Thursday at 7:40 a.m. and 5:40 p.m., or listen to it online at WEMU's web site.