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 the multiplex

“Barney’s Version” is a ride through the life and memories of Barney Panofsky, a hard-drinking, cigar-smoking, foulmouthed 65-year old hockey fanatic and television producer, as he reflects on his life's successes and (numerous) gaffes and failures as the final chapters of his own existence come sharply into focus. It stars Paul Giamatti as Barney, Dustin Hoffman as his father, and Rosamund Pike and Minnie Driver ex-Mrs. Panofsky’s. Paul Giammati won a Golden Globe for his performance and critical response is generally strong: “What the filmmakers have done so artfully is strip the story down to the bare essentials of the most significant loves of Barney's life and how his behavior, both good and bad, never stops rippling across that universe,” wrote Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times. Playing at the Rave cinema.

“Drive Angry 3D” may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you want to see Nicolas Cage at his weirdest you can check out “Drive Angry 3D.” Cage stars as Milton, a vengeful spirit who has broken out of Hell to prevent the cult that murdered his daughter from sacrificing his infant granddaughter. He is being pursued by "The Accountant" (played by William Fichtner), a supernatural operative of Satan who has been sent to bring Milton back to Hell. All of this in 3D! Jason Best from Movie Talk says the film is “a raunchy throwback to old-school 70s and 80s exploitation movies”. “Drive Angry 3D” opens Friday.

“Hall Pass” stars Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate in a film directed by the Farrelly brothers. Rick (Wilson) and Fred (Sudeikis) are best friends who have a lot in common, including the fact that they have each been married for many years. But when the two men begin to show signs of restlessness at home, their wives take a bold approach to revitalizing their marriages: granting them a "hall pass," one week of freedom to do whatever they want...no questions asked. “Hall Pass” opens Friday.

Midnight movie madness

“Troll 2” might possible be the worst movie ever made. Yes, “The Room” is awful, but “Troll 2” takes it to a different level. So why show it if it’s so bad? Because it’s so much fun! The perfect Midnight! Grab some buddies and head down to The State for what might be the hardest you’ve laughed all year! “Troll 2” plays Saturday at 11:59 p.m.

Opening downtown

Mike Leigh, the celebrated director behind “Topsy-Turvy”, “Naked”, and “Vera Drake” returns with “Another Year” which was recently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. It stars Lesley Manville, Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen and follows a married couple who have managed to remain blissfully happy into their autumn years, although their friends, colleagues and family do not share the same sense of bliss. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times says, “Not quite every year brings a new Mike Leigh film, but the years that do are blessed with his sympathy, penetrating observation, and instinct for human comedy.” “Another Year” opens Friday at the Michigan Theater. Chaplin series continues

The Michigan Theater’s Charlie Chaplin series continues this week with a triple feature of shorts made between 1918 and 1923. “Shoulder Arms” finds Charlie enlisted during the army. “A Day’s Pleasure”, Chaplin's shortest feature film, finds Chaplin wrestling with the family car, which proves somewhat recalcitrant. “The Pilgrim” finds Chaplin in a case of mistaken identity in a sleepy hamlet. The film marks the last time Edna Purviance would co-star with Chaplin and the last film he made for First National. These three films play on Monday at 7 p.m.

Special screenings

“Bilal's Stand” returns to the Michigan with a live Q&A with director Sultan Sharrief on Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. The film played at the 2010 Sundance film festival and takes a look at when family, faith, and making the most of your own opportunities intersect.

Back by popular demand is “Pelada,” a documentary that follows two Americans who love soccer and travel to 25 different countries, where they find people of all backgrounds, races and classes who play the game a “pelada.” or pick-up game. In exotic locales such as Bolivia, Kenya and Iran, the filmmakers celebrate the camaraderie generated by soccer. “Pelada” plays on Saturday, February 26 at 4:30 p.m.

What to see

The following is Russ’ list of the newest and the best to help you prioritize what to see this week: Opening: • Chaplin Triple Feature - Three of Chaplin’s best shorts presented on brand new 35mm prints. • “Barney’s Version” - Paul Giamatti play a less than perfect, but very human television producer. • “Another Year”- Mike Leigh returns with a film that examines happiness in the Autumn years of our lives. Continuing: • “The King’s Speech” - Historical British film nominated for 12 Academy Awards. • “Blue Valentine” - Stars Oscar nominee Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. • “The Illusionist” - Oscar-nominated animated film from Sylvain Chomet, with Jacques Tati script.

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.