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 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.

Football revs up, summer winds down and the energy of students beginning a new school year enlivens our renowned college town. Escape the heat and enjoy some great films at our classic downtown theaters and area cineplexes.

“Mao’s Last Dancer” opens Friday at the Michigan Theater. It is from Academy Award-nominated director Bruce Beresford ("Driving Miss Daisy") and is the inspiring true story of Chinese ballet dancer Li Cunxin — a moving tale about the quest for freedom and the courage to live your own life. The film captures the dancer’s struggles and triumphs, as well as the intoxicating effects of first love and celebrity amid the pain of exile.

“Extra Man” is a comedy starring Paul Dano, Kevin Kline and John C. Reilly about a would-be dramatist (Dano) who heads to New York City, where he rents a room from has-been playwright (Kline), who earns a living escorting rich dowagers about town resulting in a series of wild adventures. Opens Friday at the State Theatre.

“Get Low” stars Oscar winners Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek and Bill Murray. It is the true story of the irascible Felix Bush (Duvall), a backwoods Tennessee loner who planned his own funeral (so he could attend his own memorial proceedings). An official selection of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, it creates a deft blend of dark humor and poignancy. Now playing at the Michigan Theater and Rave Motion Pictures.

“The Girl Who Played With Fire,” the hit art-house film of the summer and sequel to “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” is based on the best-selling book by Stieg Larsson. If you haven’t gone, GO, it will end soon. Now playing at the State Theater.

“The Kids Are All Right,” also playing at the State, is "The best movie of the summer," according to New York Times critic A.O. Scott. A heartfelt comedy from acclaimed director Lisa Cholodenko, starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo.

“Micmacs” is by the cleverly elliptical French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet (“Amélie,” “Delicatessen”). It takes a satirical look at the global arms trade in a comedy about a man who rallies his friends to take down weapons manufacturers responsible for his father's death. It continues at the Michigan.

Opening at the multiplex

“The American” stars George Clooney as an assassin hiding out in an Italian village while he anticipates his last-ever assignment. He tempts fate by seeking out the friendship of a priest (Paolo Bonacelli) as well as the affection of a local woman (Violante Placido). Preliminary reviews are strong: “In (director Anton) Corbjin's minimalist, European art thriller, basically a Western in disguise, George Clooney challenges himself — and the audience — with his quietest, stillest, most internalized performance to date as a solitary gunslinger seeking redemption in seclusion,” writes Your Movie Stuff. Opened yesterday at a multiplex near you.

“Machete” is directed by Ethan Maniquis and Robert Rodriguez; it features Danny Trejo, with a guest appearance by Robert De Niro. After being betrayed by the organization who hired him an ex-Federale (Trejo) launches a brutal rampage of revenge against the people who double-crossed him.

“Going the Distance” is a romantic comedy centered on a guy (Justin Long) and a gal (Drew Barrymore) who attempt to keep their love alive as they shuttle back and forth between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Special screenings of classic films “Gone With The Wind,” the epic Hollywood Civil War drama, will play the Michigan Theater Sunday, September 5, at 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday, September 7, at 7 p.m. Winner of 10 Academy Awards, it will be shown with a grand organ overture, intermission interlude and rousing musical wrapup.

“Casablanca” is a Labor Day tradition at the Michigan Theater. At 7 p.m. on Monday, September 6, students get free admission (courtesy of U of M Credit Union). However, everyone is invited to see this 1942 classic starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

“Metropolis,” the newly restored 1927 silent-era classic will have two special screenings at the Michigan, Sunday, September 12, at 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday, September 14, at 7 p.m. One of the most famous and influential of all silent-era films; German director Fritz Lang's masterpiece has been restored with 25 minutes of recently discovered film footage. This special presentation features live musical accompaniment by Dr. Steven Ball, just back from a sold-out performance of “Metropolis” at the Tampa Theatre in Florida. Advanced tickets for “Metropolis” are available at www.ticketweb.com.

The Sustainability Film Series continues at the Michigan Theater with “Renewal,” Wednesday, September 8 at 7 p.m. “Renewal” is the first feature-length documentary film to capture the vitality and diversity of today’s religious-environmental activists. The director, Marty Ostrow, will be the guest speaker at this special screening.

Last chance for “Restrepo” “Restrepo” ends its run tonight at the State Theater. It was the winner of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for a Documentary Film.

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 AM and 5:40 PM, or listen to it online at WEMU's web site.