From Oscar shorts to Lego jokes, Friday has it all

A film critic's Olympics, the Academy Awards, will be broadcast on March 2. And in anticipation of that event, the Magic Lantern is offering a preview even as I type this. Tonight will be the last night of the Live Action Shorts. The Animated Shorts open on Friday, followed by a week each of the Documentary Shorts.

For the whole Magic Lantern film schedule, click here. (By the way, that photo above is from the Oscar-nominated animated short "Room on the Broom," which is a charming adaptation of the children's book by Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler.)

In mainstream theaters, Friday's AMC openings include "The Lego Movie," "Monuments Men," "Nurse 3D" and "Vampire Academy" (actually, "Lego" and "Monuments Men" open tonight).

For Regal Cinemas, Village Centre and Garland openings, click on Fandango.