The Culture of Violence, an exhibition featuring the works of 25 artists, will be featured with the goal of encouraging reflection upon a subject whose poignancy has increased in light of recent events. (Beginning Fri., 5 p.m., University Gallery at UMass.)

An exhibition entitled Under Pressure: Prints from Two Palms Press will feature work by artist Mel Bochner. (Beginning Sat., University Gallery at UMass.)

A collection of works from the 1960s and 1970s by New England artist Terri Priest will be shown in an exhibition entitled Reprise. (Beginning Tues., noon-6 p.m., The Hampden Gallery at UMass.)

SELECT FLICKS

Cinemark at Hampshire Mall

(587-4233)

Director Ron Howard's skillfully directed but slightly contrived film "A Beautiful Mind," Golden Globe winner for Best Picture (Drama), features Russell Crowe as the schizophrenic mathematician John Forbes Nash, Jr., and Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Alicia.

In a heartfelt and hysterical follow-up to the brilliant comedy "Rushmore," director Wes Anderson presents "The Royal Tenenbaums," the story of a family of oddballs led by Gene Hackman's tactless but sincere patriarch Royal Tenenbaum.

The first installment of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings," is brought to life in New Zealand director Peter Jackson's lush "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan and Bill Boyd.

Sean Penn delivers a painfully over-the-top performance in Jessie Nelson's "I Am Sam," a drama about a handicapped man attempting to retain custody of his young daughter. Michelle Pfeiffer, however, is effectively touching in her role as Sam's tough but troubled attorney.

Based on the story of never-explained deaths apparently caused by an extraterrestrial being in a small West Virginia town, "The Mothman Prophecies" stars Richard Gere as the journalist who attempts to discover the being behind the murders. Laura Linney costars as the police detective who helps him.

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is a delight for any reader of the bestselling series by J.K. Rowling. Talented child actors Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint shine in a plot that stays true to the magical novel.

Pleasant Street Theater

(586-0925)

Golden Globe winner Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson give understated but shattering performances as parents trying to cope with the murder of their college-aged son in Todd Field's debut feature "In the Bedroom."

TALKS

The Five College Learning in Retirement Program presents a talk by retired art teacher Priscilla Hinckley entitled The Female Nude in Western Painting: High Art or Pornography? (Wed., 10 a.m., Keefe Campus Center Frontroom.)

Author David Barsamian will discuss mainstream and alternative media in relation to his new book, The Decline and Fall of Public Broadcasting, which deals with what he deems today's increasingly restrictive political climate. (Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Food for Thought Books.)

TUNES

Return to the Source, a group headed by Amherst alumnus Junius Williams '65, will perform a musical exploration of the African-American experience to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Fri., 7 p.m., Keefe Campus Center Frontroom.)

Famed baroque violinist Andrew Manze and harpsichordist Richard Egarr will perform the fourth concert in the 2001-02 Music at Amherst Series, consisting of the Italian 17th-century Stylus Phantasticus, as well as sonatas by Corelli, Bach and Handel. (Sun., 3 p.m., Buckley Recital Hall.)

The 18th Annual Silver Chord Bowl, the first in the Northampton Arts Council's Four Sundays in February series, will include acts such as The Tufts Beelzebubs, The Yale Whiffenpoofs, University of Rochester's Vocal Points, The Harvard Din and Tonics, Smith College's Smiffenpoofs, The Boston College Acoustics and the Amherst College Zumbyes. (Sun., 2 p.m., John M. Greene Hall at Smith College.)

The Office of Student Programs and Gamelan Interactive Group present a performance by pioneering hip-hop artist KRS-ONE. (Fri., 8 p.m., Chapin Auditorium at Mount Holyoke College, $18 in advance or $20 at the door.)

MISCELLANEOUS

An Appreciation Assembly will be held to celebrate the "Mentoring a Child" Commemorative Postage Stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service in an effort to spotlight mentoring. The assembly, created to increase participation for mentoring programs, is sponsored by the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hampshire County and the Jackson Street School children and Principal Gwen Agna. (Wed., 10 a.m., Jackson Street School gymnasium.)

Writer Paul DuBois Jacobs and legendary folk music performer Pete Seeger, authors of "The Pete Seeger Storytelling Book," will recite stories and discuss ideas on readers beginning their own storytelling tradition. (Sat., 1 p.m., Chapin Auditorium at Mount Holyoke College.)

The second of the College's three events celebrating the life and works of Dr. King will be the annual Interfaith Service. Featured speakers are the God Squad duo of Msgr. Thomas Hartman and Rabbi Marc Gellman, who have appeared on programs such as "Good Morning America" discussing aspects of various religions. (Sun., 2 p.m., Johnson Chapel.)