On the screen

NEW FRIDAY

LIFE DURING WARTIME — ★★ — The coldness and aloofness only makes this film more off-putting. Running time: 98 minutes; not rated, probable R (profanity, sex, vulgarity, slurs, brief nudity)

LOTTERY TICKET — ★★½ — A blend of comic lunacy with sweet sentimentality. Bow Wow stars. Running time: 99 minutes; PG-13 (vulgarity, profanity) — Rick Bentley, McClatchy Newspapers

NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS — ★★½ — Though it's crude, this sequel actually betters its predecessor. Emma Thompson stars. Running time: 109 minutes; PG (vulgarity, violence, slurs)

PIRAHNA 3-D — Remake of the killer-fish thriller from 1978, starring Elisabeth Shue. Running time: 89 minutes; R (violence, gore, nudity, sex, profanity, drugs) Will be reviewed later.

THE SWITCH — Planned-pregnancy comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman as longtime friends. Running time: 100 minutes; PG-13 (sex, vulgarity, nudity, drugs, profanity)

VAMPIRES SUCK — ★ — The spoof of vampire movies a step above completely awful — barely. Running time: 80 minutes; PG-13 (vulgarity, sex, violence, profanity) — Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

WILD GRASS — ★★ — The payoff to this absurdist fantasy isn't worth the cinematic journey. French with subtitles; running time: 104 minutes; PG (profanity, vulgarity)

MIDNIGHT MOVIE

TOWER NIGHT 'N' NOON SERIES — This week's film is "Scarface" (1983). A schedule is available at www.saltlakefilmsociety.org. (Aug. 20-22: Tower)

KIDS MATINEES

TOWNE CINEMAS SUMMER MATINEES — This week's movie is "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). See schedule at www.townecinema.com. (Aug. 20, 11 a.m.: Towne Cinemas, American Fork)

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

BICYCLE DREAMS — Independently produced documentary following devoted bicycle riders. (Through Aug. 26: Gateway)

BREWVIES SPECIAL SCREENINGS — Programs include the Wasatch Coop fundraiser and "Hedwig & The Angry Inch" (2001). See schedule at www.brewvies.com. (Aug. 23, 10 p.m.; Aug. 24, 6:30 p.m. and Aug. 25, 8 p.m.: Brewvies, must be 21 or older)