Reps Etc.

SATURDAY: "Dueling Divas" -- It's a tough call between Joan Crawford as the striving Mildred Pierce (Michael Curtiz, 1945; 2:15, 7 p.m.) in a noir family melodrama, and the classic weepie Now, Voyager (Irving Rapper, 1942; 4:30, 9:05 p.m.), but let's give it to Joan's business career as more gripping than Bette's delicate condition. Crawford takes the lead, 4-3, and then for her troubles is portrayed by Faye Dunaway in the infamous biopic Mommie Dearest (Frank Perry, 1981), separate admission at midnight.

SUNDAY: "Dueling Divas" -- Both women go to late-career extremes: Joan Crawford is either in, or in a, Strait-Jacket (George Castle, 1964; 7:15 p.m.), while Bette Davis' sanity is challenged in Hush ... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (Aldrich, 1964; 9 p.m.), neither film screened by this corner. The results of this contest can only be decided by you.

MONDAY: A double bill of the campy musicals Xanadu (1980; 7 p.m.), a roller-disco flick with Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly (!), directed by future agitprop documentarian Robert Greenwald, with Sidney Lumet's film of the once-popular Broadway musical The Wiz (1978; 8:50 p.m.).

TUESDAY: Another double bill, this time of Menahem Golan's futuristic rock musical The Apple (1980; 7 p.m.) and the sung and danced remake of the Tibetan spiritual Lost Horizon (Charles Jarrott, 1973; 8:45 p.m.). Look out for Mr. Boogaloo!

CLAY

2261 Fillmore (at Clay), 267-4893, www.landmarktheatres.com or www.8tales.com for this series. "Eight Tales," a weekend midnight movie series, continues. For additional Clay screenings, see our Showtimes page. $8.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY (Sept. 16 & 17): Mike Judge checks out the Office Space (1999). On Saturday, an "Office Equipment Holocaust" is promised midnight.

EL RIO

3158 Mission (at Precita near Cesar Chavez), 282-3325 for venue; www.madcatfilmfestival.org for this program. The MadCat Women's International Film Festival screens programs through Sept. 27 on this bar's outdoor patio (or indoors if it rains). $7-20 sliding scale.

WEDNESDAY (Sept. 14): MadCat continues with "Amok-imation," untypical cartoons that include Jesus and Mary Magdalene stealing away from a church in The Guilt Trip, or the Vatican Takes a Holiday (Lisa Barcy), Echoes of Bats and Men (Jo Dery), and Cosmetic Emergency (Martha Colburn). Free barbecue 6:30 p.m. Films 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY (Sept. 20): MadCat's "City Nights" profiles unseen San Francisco with Trina Lopez's A Second Final Rest, about S.F.'s "lost cemeteries"; Kristen Nutile's Police Blotter; and Ashley Tindall's Green Cross. Free barbecue 6:30 p.m. Films 8:30 p.m.

FOREIGN CINEMA

2534 Mission (between 21st and 22nd streets), 648-7600, www.foreigncinema.com. Free with meal. This restaurant screens foreign films, usually in 35mm, on the back wall of its outdoor patio, with drive-in speakers available for the tables of those who want to watch while they dine.

DAILY (Closed Monday): In the Mood for Love (Hong Kong, 2000), the (superior) predecessor to Wong Kar-Wai's current film of dreamy love, 2046, screens through Oct. 2. "Starts at dusk."

GRAND LAKE

3200 Grand (at Lake Park), Oakland, (510) 452-3556; (510) 451-3456 and www.oiff.org for this event. This multiplex usually shows first-run movies. $9 save as noted. For the rest of the Grand Lake's schedule, see our Showtimes page.

THURSDAY: The fourth Oakland International Film Festival opens with Constellation (Jordan Walker-Pearlman), with an excellent cast including Billy Dee Williams and Hill Harper. Reception 6 p.m., film 8 p.m.

FRIDAY: OIFF -- Beat the Drum (Hickson) 6 p.m. Karmen Gei (Ramaka, Senegal) 8:20 p.m. "Best Short Film Competition" 10 p.m.

SATURDAY: OIFF -- Hip Hop Colony (Wanguhu) 6 p.m. "Best Short Film Competition" 8:20 p.m. God's Waiting List (Adler) 10 p.m.

SUNDAY: OIFF -- Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice (Nelson) 6 p.m. Short documentaries including The Oath (Collett) 8 p.m. Sense of Need (Srours) 10 p.m.

MONDAY: OIFF -- Head and Heart (Mannas) 6 p.m. Short films including The Correct Use of Oranges (Okada) 8 p.m. More shorts including Don't Give Me the Finger (Balcorth) 10 p.m.

TUESDAY: OIFF -- Short documentaries including Bullets in the Hood (Highitani) 6 p.m. Beat the Drum 8 p.m. Shorts including Downtown (Dedio) 10:20 p.m.

LARK

549 Magnolia (at Post), Larkspur, 924-5111, www.larktheater.net. This single-screen art deco theater mixes new and repertory programming. Separate admission for different films screened on the same day. $8.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: North Korean gymnasts train in A State of Mind (Daniel Gordon, North Korea-U.K., 2004) Wed 7 p.m., Thurs 5:30 p.m. Kids learn to dance in Mad Hot Ballroom (Marilyn Argelo, 2005) Wed 8:50 p.m.; Thurs 10 a.m., 7:30 p.m.

STARTS FRIDAY: Call theater for program.

LUMIERE

1572 California (at Polk), 352-0810, www.landmarktheatres.com. This multiplex is only partly a "calendar house" rep theater; for the rest of the Lumiere schedule, see our Showtimes page. $9.50.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: El Crimen Perfecto (Alex de la Iglesia, Spain, 2002). Call for times.

FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY (Sept. 16-22): The Baxter (Michael Showalter, 2005). See Opening for review. Call for times.

MALONGA CASQUELOURD THEATER

1428 Alice (at 14th Street), Oakland; (510) 451-3456 and www.oiff.org for this event. Once known as Oakland's Alice Arts Center, this theater hosts some events for the fourth Oakland International Film Festival. Call for admission.

FRIDAY: OIFF features "In the Classroom" screenings of documentaries on some weekdays throughout the festival 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

MONDAY: OIFF -- "In the Classroom" 10 a.m.-3 p.m.