Academy of Music Theater

(584-8435)

"Amélie" is reviewed in this issue.

Cinemark at Hampshire Mall

(587-4233)

In "Domestic Disturbance," a child's life hangs in the balance between good father John Travolta and evil stepfather Vince Vaughn, with Teri Polo as the boy's mother.

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is reviewed in this issue.

"Heist" is a spooky step into film-noir from the ubiquitous David Mamet. Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito join forces in an attempt to pull off the 'perfect' bank robbery. You know what they say about the best laid plans ...

Kevin Spacey stars as a loveable "alien" stuck under the care of Jeff Bridges in a mental institution in "K-Pax." Spacey and Bridges form a bond that will soon be interrupted when Spacey's character gets the call from the mothership, leaving a sappy trail of patients and

friends behind.

Kevin Kline stars as a father battling an unfortunate midlife funk and the growing distance between himself and his family in the touching "Life as a House."

"Monsters, Inc.," the latest cutesy cartoon from Pixar, is a surefire bet to please fans of all ages. Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Jennifer Tilly and more lend their voices to the colorful characters in the film.

"Shallow Hal" is the latest offensive offering from the infamous Farrelly brothers. The low blows and fat-jokes abound when Hal (Jack Black), a man whose brains appear to be perpetually situated in his ass, falls for a gargantuan woman cleverly disguised as Gwyneth Paltrow. Confused? So were we.

"Highlander" and "The Terminator" are just two of the many films ripped off by Jet Li's sci-fi adventure, "The One." The story, involving a good Jet and an evil Jet, who battle across multiple universes, actually makes a surprising amount of sense-the problem is that audiences come to Jet Li movies for his martial arts wizardry, which in this case is obscured, not enhanced, by sub-Matrix special effects.

"13 Ghosts" updates the '60s horror classic with state-of-the-art digital effects. F. Murray Abraham and Shannon Elizabeth star.

Pleasant Street Theater

(586-0925)

In the Swedish '70s drama, "Together," a long-suffering mother of two leaves her abusive husband and moves into her brother's commune, where she must make various difficult choices about her husband and family while developing new attitudes towards sex, politics and her role as a woman.

STAGE

New Zealand's Niuean/Samoan writer and actor Dianna Fuemana will perform Mapaki, her award-winning play centering on the struggles of a woman named Fisi, who ponders the repercussions of remaining in a physically abusive relationship. (Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m., Kirby Theater, free with ID.)

TUNES

The Amherst Christian Fellowship and the Newman Club will sponsor the annual Christmas Vespers service, entitled Festivals of Lessons and Carols. The service will include performances by the Choral Society, the Madrigal Singers and others. (Sun., 4 & 7:30 p.m., Johnson Chapel, free.)

Approximately 175 members of the Mount Holyoke College community will participate in the Christmas Vespers 2001 concert, with performances by the Glee Club, the Chamber Singers and more. (Sun., 4 & 7:30 p.m., Abbey Chapel at Mount Holyoke College, free.)

Smith College presents its annual Christmas Vespers concerts, with services and readings by members of the Smith College faculty, staff and senior class. Includes performances by the College Chorus, Glee Club, Handbell Choir, Orchestra and more. (Sun., 4:00 & 7:30 p.m., John M. Greene Hall at Smith College, free.)

The Jacques Thibaud String Trio will perform selections of string trios by Schubert and Schoenberg. (Mon., 8 p.m., Buckley Recital Hall, $5.)

The Five College Early Music Program will present a concert of 16th century music for voices and Renaissance instruments. Pieces include works of Josquin des Pres and selections from the Odhecaton. (Tue. & Wed., 8:00 p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall at Smith College, free.)

TALKS

The Lecture Series on Globalization Pressures on Latin America presents its latest, a talk by Damián J. Fernández, chair and associate professor of international relations at Florida International University in Miami, entitled The Elian Gonzalez Case and the Prospects for Reconciliation between Cuba and Miami. (Thurs., 6:30 p.m., Merrill 3.)

MISCELLANEOUS

MacArthur Fellow and novelist Andrea Barrett will read selections from her body of work, including her 1996 National Book Award-winning short story collection entitled Ship Fever and Other Stories and five novels. (Mon., 8 p.m., Porter Lounge in Converse Hall.)

The 22nd Annual Northampton Winter Craft Fair will feature various handmade crafts, food, music, activities and a silent auction, and will benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hampshire County and the Scholarship Fund of the Smith College Campus School PTO. (Sun. & Mon., 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Scott Gym at Smith College.)

The Student Union Craft Center will present the annual Holiday Craft Fair, to feature various professional artists from the New England area as well as UMass student crafts. The many selections include pottery, jewelry, clothing, photographs and more. (Wed., Thurs. and Fri., 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Lincoln Campus Center Concourse at UMass, free.)