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 downtown It’s Academy Award season — time to go to the Michigan Theater to check out the always-great Oscar-nominated live-action and animated short films. These two separate programs of short films will play an irregular schedule starting Friday, Feb. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 27, when the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony will take place. For this week’s schedule of Oscar shorts go to michtheater.org/schedule.php.

“The Illusionist” is the latest animated film from Sylvain Chomet, the award-winning animator who created “The Triplets of Belleville.” This Best Animated Film Oscar nominee is based on an unproduced script written by the legendary French director and actor Jacques Tati (“Mr. Hulot’s Holiday”), and the main character is a cartoon version of Tati. The plot revolves around a struggling magician who visits an isolated community. There he meets a young lady who is convinced that he has real magical powers. Critics rave! "A very happy marriage of Tati's and Chomet's distinctive artistic sensibilities,” says Variety. “Both a modest homage to its writer and a melancholy look at a lost world,” adds The New York Times. “The Illusionist” opens Friday at the State Theatre. “Made In Dagenham” stars Sally Hawkins in this pert dramatization of the landmark 1968 labor strike initiated by hundreds of women who rebelled against discrimination and demanded the same pay as men for their work in a London automobile manufacturing plant. Stephen Holden of the New York Times says that “Made In Dagenham” is “so smoothly written and well-acted that its humanity and good will leave you with a 1960s buzz of hope that social justice might be at hand . . .” “Made In Dagenham” opens Friday at The Michigan Theater. Opening at the multiplex “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” is a 3-D documentary about the rise of teen celebrity Justin Bieber from his roots as a street performer to becoming a global superstar. There are currently no reviews available. “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” opens Friday. “The Eagle” is a historical epic set in the 2nd century AD and tells the story of a young Roman officer's search to discover the truth about the disappearance of his father's legion in the north of Britain. The film stars Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, and Tahar Rahim. Brian Lowry of Variety says The Eagle is “an earnest throwback to an earlier brand of filmmaking.” It opens Friday. “Just Go With It” is a romantic comedy from the folks who brought us “You Don't Mess with the Zohan” and “Grown Ups.” Adam Sandler plays Danny, a successful plastic surgeon, who pretends to be unhappily married to meet women. When he finally meets the girl (Brooklyn Decker) of his dreams, complications arise. Jennifer Aniston also stars as the soon-to-be-ex-wife character. “Just Go With It” opens Friday. “Gnomeo and Juliet” is an animated take on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” but with garden gnomes. Two garden gnomes, Gnomeo (voice of James McAvoy) and Juliet (voice of Emily Blunt), try to avoid tragedy and find a happy ending to their star-crossed love affair. David Highes of Empire Magazine says the film is “totally crackers but it gets powered by pure invention and eccentricity alone.” “Gnomeo and Juliet” opens Friday. Special screenings "The Way I See It" showcases spectacular skiing and landscapes in British Columbia, Japan, Alaska, Colorado, Switzerland, Idaho, Washington and many other locations. The film is the winner of Powder Magazine's 2009 "Movie of the Year" and is presented by UM Department of Screen Arts & Cultures on Saturday, February 12 at 8 p.m. at the Michigan. The Michigan Theater’s Family Friendly Film series continues with “Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.” The film is presented free to kids 12 and under and plays Sunday, February 13 at 1:30 p.m. The Charlie Chaplin series continues at the Michigan Theater on Valentine’s Day with Chaplin’s romantic comedy “City Lights.” The film begins with an uproarious skewering of pomp and formality and ends with one of the most famous last shots in movie history. This film and all the Chaplin series films are presented from a brand new 35mm print. Take your sweetheart; playing Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14 at 7 p.m. at the Michigan.

What to see

The following is Russ’ list of the newest and the best to help you prioritize what to see this week: Opening: • “City Lights” - The perfect date-night film, starring Charlie Chaplin, presented on Valentine’s Day. • “The Illusionist” - Oscar-nominated animated film from Sylvain Chomet, with Jacques Tati script. • The animated and live-action short films nominated for Oscars - at the Michigan. • “Gnomeo and Juliet” - It looks like goofy fun and it’s British. Is that such a bad thing? Continuing: • “The King’s Speech” - Historical British film nominated for 12 Academy Awards. • “Blue Valentine” - Stars Oscar nominee Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling.

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.