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, written by the Michigan Theater's Russ Collins. Offer your opinion on a recent movie you've seen, or on anything Russ 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 at your local multiplex

In "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance,” Nicolas Cage reprises his role as Johnny Blaze in this gritty new vision directed by the team of Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor ("Crank"). "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” opens Friday.

From the mind of master animator Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli ("Spirited Away," & "Ponyo") comes "The Secret World of Arrietty.” This animated adventure, based on Mary Norton's acclaimed children's book series "The Borrowers,” opens Friday.

In “This Means War,” Chris Pine and Tom Hardy play the world's deadliest CIA operatives who also just happen to be best friends—until they fall for the same woman (Reese Witherspoon). “This Means War” opens Friday.

Opening downtown

In “Albert Nobbs,” six-time Academy Award nominee (including a nomination for this film) Glenn Close stars as a woman forced to live as a man in 19th Century Ireland. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times says, “This is such a brave performance by Glenn Close.” In addition to a Best Actress Nomination for Close, Janet McTeer also received a Best Actress in a Supporting Role nod, and the film also received a nomination for Make-Up. “Albert Nobbs” opens Friday at the State Theatre.

Special screenings

Come sing along with Ariel, Sebastian, Ursula and the rest of the gang when the “Sing-Along Little Mermaid” comes to the Michigan Theater! “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl” are just two of the great songs from the Oscar-winning score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. “Sing-Along Little Mermaid” plays Friday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m.; and Monday, Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m., and each screening will feature a costume parade, goodie bags and prize giveaways! Specially priced tickets will be sold at the door.

The Nam Center for Korean Studies concludes its "Cinematic City: Seoul" series with a special double feature of “The Housemaid,” featuring the seminal 1960 version of the film and a 2010 remake. “The Housemaid” double feature plays Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Michigan Theater; admission is free.

UMS and the Michigan Theater join forces to bring a high-definition screening of live theater by the National Theatre, London to Ann Arbor! “Travelling Light” is a funny and fascinating tribute to the Eastern European immigrants who became major players in Hollywood’s golden age. It plays Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Michigan Theater. Tickets are available at ums.org.

Martin Bandyke's Moving Pictures Film Series continues with a special double feature! Part one is the Georges Melies' historic touchstone film “A Trip to the Moon.” This original hand-colored film print is direct from its re-premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Part two is “Joy Division,” the documentary film about the 1980s Manchester, England-based band that changed the face of modern music. “Joy Division” and “A Trip to the Moon” play Monday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.

The Ann Arbor Film Festival’s year-long celebration of its 50-year history concludes with Robert Gardner's feature documentary “Forest of Bliss,” which played at the 24th Ann Arbor Film Festival in 1986. This landmark documentary was recently restored and is on loan from the Harvard Film Archive. The AAFF 50th: Retrospective Series plays Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Michigan Theater.

See you at the movies!

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.