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.

August can be a difficult month for films. In August, Hollywood typically releases films that would be considered “seconds and damaged goods” if they were appliances being sold at a big-box store. That certainly appears to be the case with Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables,” an action picture made up of old guys like Sly.

More curious are “Eat, Pray, Love” starring Julia Roberts in a film based on the best-selling book and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” starring Michael Cera in a film by the acclaimed comedy director Edgar Wright. “Restrepo” is the clear winner opening this week. It was the Grand Jury prize recipient for best documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

"Wizard of Oz" — the local connection Longtime Ann Arborites still lament the closing of the Del Rio bar, which was located downtown on Washington Street west of Main. One of the owners of that legendary establishment was a University of Michigan research scientist and longtime Ann Arbor resident Ernie Harburg. Ernie is the son of “Wizard of Oz” lyricist Yip Harburg, who worked with composer Harold Arlen to create the score for this iconic Hollywood film.

This Sunday and Tuesday you can sing along to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and other lyrics Ernie’s dad wrote at a special sing-along version of this classic movie. A Kansas twister sends Dorothy and her little dog to the Land of Oz, where she must navigate the Yellow Brick Road to get home. At this special screening you will get a goodie bag filled with fun, including bubbles, kazoos, lollipops, stickers and more. Plus, if you desire, you can dress up as your favorite Oz character and participate in a costume parade before the start of the screening. There will be two shows, Sunday, August 15 at 1:30 and Tuesday, August 17 at 7:00. Tickets are available at TicketWeb. Opening this week

“Restrepo” opens Friday at the State Theater. Filmmakers Tim Hetherington (an acclaimed British photographer) and Sebastian Junger (author of “The Perfect Storm”) spent one year with a U.S. Army platoon in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley, a Taliban/al Qaeda stronghold considered to be one of the most dangerous postings in the war. Filmmakers Junger and Hetherington approached the war with no political agenda. However, it leaves viewers wondering what is really going on over there. It is a must-see that puts a human face to the daily news coming from Afghanistan, which is probably why it was the most talked-about film at Sundance this year. “Eat, Pray, Love” is directed by “Glee” co-creator Ryan Murphy. It features an all-star cast including Julia Roberts, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Viola Davis, Billy Crudup and Richard Jenkins. The film is based on the best-selling autobiographical novel by Elizabeth Gilbert. Julia Roberts’ character is at a crossroads; she is alone and unbalance after a sudden and unexpected divorce. She takes a year-long sabbatical from her job and steps uncharacteristically out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life. In her exotic travels, she experiences the simple pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India; and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of love in Bali. Surprisingly, there are no advance reviews for this film and, reports are it was pulled at the last minute from the Traverse City Film Festival.

“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” stars Michael Cera, who was in the Ann Arbor area last summer to film “Youth in Revolt.” Directed by the very clever British director Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz”), this elliptical tale is about a slacker musician, Scott Pilgrim (Cera), who falls for the new girl in town, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). To win her heart and hand, he must defeat her seven evil ex-lovers. Reviews are generally positive. This review from Film Journal International is typical: “Magical realism meets Mortal Kombat, as magical combat and mortal realism fire up a sweet, funny and blindingly original first-love tale.” “The Expendables” is the Sylvester Stallone action/thriller. It is about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. The cast is a who’s who list of action and “B” movie stars of the '80s and '90s; Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Terry Crews and Mickey Rourke. Stallone, of course, plays the fearless leader. Critics are split about Stallone’s return to the big screen: “The body count is high and the personalities click in this old-school testosterone fest,” The Hollywood Reporter says. Yet, ”Take the cast away, and there's not much more here than the straight-to-DVD schlock that has kept conspicuously absent rivals Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme busy of late,” writes Variety. See you at the movies!

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.