Best Bets: Your guide to the weekend

MOVIES
Opening Friday:

» “Law Abiding Citizen” stars Jamie Foxx (“Ray”) as a prosecutor struggling to stop a jailed prisoner (Gerard Butler, “300”) from killing all those involved in the plea deal that, 10 years earlier, jailed one of the two men who raped and murdered his wife and daughter, while the other was executed (Rated R.)

» “More Than a Game” is a documentary about NBA superstar LeBraun James and his relationship with his former high school teammates, during their scholastic careers and after James’ jump to the big time (Rated PG.) 

» “Where The Wild Things Are” is director Spike Jonze’s (“Being John Malkovich”) live action adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s much beloved and honored children’s book about a boy named Max and the fantastic world he creates when he’s sent to bed without supper (Rated PG.)
In theaters now:

» The documentary “Good Hair,” produced and narrated by Chris Rock is a fascinating, funny and thought-provoking look at the social, economic and psychological relationship between (primarily) black women and their hair. (Rated PG-13 for some profanity and sexually suggestive comments.) Four (****) Stars. 

» “A Serious Man,” from Joel and Ethan Coen, (“No Country for Old Men,” “Fargo”) is a dark and ironic tale with semi-autobiographical overtones.
A Jewish college professor in the Midwest in the late 1960’s finds both his personal and professional lives falling apart at the same time. He seeks solace in his faith, but discovers keeping faith with himself may be more rewarding. This is not a film for every moviegoer’s palate, but Coen fans and others will likely find it compelling. (Rated R or profanity, mild violence, sexual and drug content and nudity.) Three and a half Stars (*** ½).

» “Couples Retreat” has a talented cast, led by Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau and Jason Bateman, but the script, about four couples trying to reawaken the intimacy in their relationships, just doesn’t hold together. There are laughs here, but they’re few and fairly far between. (Rated PG-13 or profanity, sexual situations and crude humor.) 2 (**) Stars.
On DVD

» The Sandra Bullock/Ryan Reynolds romantic comedy “The Proposal”  is proof that on-screen chemistry can overcome a lackluster script. Bullock plays a bossy book editor from Canada who must fake a marriage to her put upon assistant (Reynolds) in order to keep from being deported from the United States.
This one’s worth the rental fee. (Rated PG-13; sexual content, brief nudity, profanity.)

ON STAGE
» Synetic Theatre Company offers everyone an early Halloween present with their production of “Dracula.”
You can sink your teeth into this classic tale beginning with a “pay-what-you-can” preview performance at the Roslyn Spectrum tonight at 8 p.m. There’ll also be a post show discussion, starting at 9:40 p.m. “Dracula” runs through Nov. 15.

» Signature Theatre in Shirlington is celebrating it 20th anniversary season with a series of limited run shows called “Signature Sings.” Each show offers memorable musical numbers from musicals performed at Signature during its history.

The first Sings production covers the period from 1989 to 1994 and includes songs from “Assassins,” “Into the Woods,” “Company” and “Wings — the Musical.”
This edition of Sings runs through Oct. 18.

» The Studio Theatre in Washington offers a “pay what you can” matinee of “Adding Machine: A Musical” on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale one hour before curtain.
» The Washington Ballet dreams the “Impossible Dream” with a production of “Don Quixote” at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre. The production runs through Oct. 18.
I n clubs and in concert
» The Patriot Center welcomes comedian, impressionist and new “Let’s Make a Deal” host Wayne Brady for a concert Saturday and “Disney on Ice: Celebration” begins a five-night run on Oct. 21.

» George Mason University’s Center For the Arts offers the Virginia Opera’s presentation of “La Boheme” on Saturday and Sunday.

» The Birchmere in Alexandria welcomes saxophonist Dave Koz tonight, singers and songwriters Cheryl Wheeler and Christine Lavin Saturday and the one and only Little Richard on Monday.

»  The Barns at Wolf Trap presents an evening of jazz with the Stanley Clarke Trio tonight and Irish singer Christopher O’Reiley on Saturday. 

» Falls Church’s State Theater plays host to the Marshall Tucker Band Saturday..

» Blues Alley in Georgetown presents vocalist Rachelle Ferrell for four nights, beginning tonight.

»  The Warner Theater rocks out with Lenny Kravitz on Oct. 20.

»  The Kennedy Center presents the National Symphony Orchestra with maestro Lorin Mazel conducting and violinist Nadia Salerno-Sonnenberg, who will perform Barber’s Violin Concerto. Mazel will also present “Night on Bald Mountain” and a work he composed. The NSO performs at the Kennedy Center tonight through Saturday.

» The Music Center at Strathmore Hall invites the young, young at heart and families to a concert of “Folk Music and Silly Songs” featuring Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

» The Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis presents Saffire, the Uppity Blues Women on their farewell tour Friday, Grammy-winning singer Paula Cole on Saturday and blues man Robert Cray and his Band on Monday.

Little Richard visits on Oct. 20 and Todd Rundgren headlines on Oct. 21.

The soulful, bluesy songs of Leon Russell fill the Rams Head Live! in Baltimore on Oct. 20.
Enjoy!

Joe Barber is a contributing writer and covers the DC area entertainment scene for the News & Messenger. He can be heard on Fridays through Sundays on the WTOP-FM Radio.