Win free movie tickets

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 9 a.m. Monday, leave a comment on this column. Offer your opinion on a recent movie you've seen, or on anything the column mentions. A winner will be randomly selected, and we’ll notify that person via the email address they signed up with. They will get two passes to a movie of their choice, courtesy of The Michigan Theater. Full rules here.

Opening downtown

Set in the near future, "Robot & Frank" tells the story of Frank (Frank Langella), a retired cat burglar, whose two grown kids are concerned he can no longer live alone. They are tempted to place him in a nursing home until Frank's son chooses a different option: Against the old man's wishes, he buys Frank a walking, talking humanoid robot programmed to improve his physical and mental health. What follows is an often hilarious and somewhat heartbreaking story about finding friends and family in the most unexpected places. Richard Corliss of Time Magazine says, “A work of power, nuance and daredevil craft, Langella's performance is a reminder that giants still fill the stage, and the screen.” "Robot & Frank" features an all-star cast including Liv Tyler, James Marsden and Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon. "Robot & Frank" opens Friday at the Michigan Theater.

Opening at the multiplex

"The Words" follows young writer Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper), who finally achieves long-sought literary success after publishing the next great American novel. There's only one catch: He didn't write it. As the past comes back to haunt him and his literary star continues to rise, Jansen is forced to confront the steep price that must be paid for stealing another man's work, and for placing ambition and success above life's most fundamental three words. Starring Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde and Zoe Saldana. “The Words” opens Friday.

In “The Cold Light Of Day,” Will Shaw (Henry Cavill) goes to Spain for a weeklong sailing vacation with his family but his whole world turns upside-down when the family is kidnapped by intelligence agents hell-bent on recovering a mysterious briefcase, and Will suddenly finds himself on the run. Also starring Sigourney Weaver and Bruce Willis, "The Cold Light Of Day" opens Friday.

Special screenings downtown

“Bill W.” tells the story of William G. Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, a man included in Time Magazine’s “100 Persons of the 20th Century.” Interviews, recreations, and rare archival material reveal how Wilson, a hopeless drunk near death from his alcoholism, found a way out of his own addiction and then forged a path for countless others to follow. Ernest Hardy of the Village Voice says, “A loving, exhaustive, warts-and-all look at the man who spent years battling his own alcoholism before a spiritual experience in the hospital set him on the course to help others.” “Bill W.” plays Tuesday, September 11 at 7 p.m.

Acclaimed Polish screenwriter and film director Agnieszka Holland will deliver the 2012 Copernicus Lecture on Oct. 10 at the Michigan Theater. Leading up to this very special lecture is a series of Ms. Holland’s outstanding films. The series begins tonight with “Fever” (“Goraczka”) at 7:30PM and continues with “A Woman Alone” on Thursday, September 13 at 7:30. This series is sponsored by the Copernicus Endowment at the University of Michigan, and admission is free.

"Rushmore” is director Wes Anderson's wonderfully unorthodox coming-of-age story that ranks with “Harold and Maude” and “The Graduate” in the pantheon of timeless cult classics. Starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Olivia Williams, “Rushmore” plays on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 11:59 p.m. at the State Theatre.

Still playing downtown

If you haven’t had a chance to check out “Searching For Sugar Man,” you still have time! Rodriguez was the greatest ’70s U.S. rock icon who never was. His albums were critically well-received, but sales bombed, and he faded away into obscurity among rumors of a gruesome death. However, as fate would have it, a bootleg copy of his record made its way to South Africa, where his music became a phenomenal success. In a country suppressed by apartheid, his antiestablishment message connected with the people. “Searching For Sugar Man” continues at the Michigan Theater.

Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg star in “Celeste And Jesse Forever,” about a couple who met in high school, married young and are now growing apart. At 30, Celeste is convinced that divorcing Jesse is the right thing to do, but as the reality of their separation sets in, Celeste slowly and painfully realizes she has been cavalier about her decision. Tom Long of the Detroit News says “The give and take here feels completely real, and each character is likable while also flawed and vulnerable.” “Celeste And Jesse Forever” continues at the State Theatre.

See you at the movies!