28 - Michigan Daily Weekef- Thursday, December 9,A ! - s d l 0 The, Michigan Daily Weekend A Tuna Christmas p.m. See Thursday. 8 The Snow Queen p.m. and 8 p.m. A Tuna Christmas p.m. See Thursday. 2 See Thursday. 8 How? Why? A Jewish girl and a German boy find out the truth about their grand- parents' lives during the Holocaust. Media Union Video Studio. 11 p.m. Free. ALTERNATIVES 3 Dimensions, 2 Scales, 1 Designer See Thursday. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reception 6:30-9:30 p.m. Ghetto Billies These ghetto super- stars come correct on the Sabbath. Ann Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington St., 213-1393. 9 p.m. Dance and Related Arts Thursday. 8 p.m. See Courtesy of Ursversal Pictures Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks and director Nora Ephron team up again after the wild suc- cess of "Sleepless In Seattle" for "You've Got Mail." The Cyber-romance Is one of the few sure-winners expected at the movies this season. Hollywood not e" 0 C) execin 'Ttm Christmas this yea Laura Kasischke Noted author will be reading from her new novel "White Bird in a Blizzard." Shaman Drum, 313 South State St., 662-7407. 8 p.m. Master Drawings See Thursday. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Musical Theatre Eighty musical theater majors and various faculty present their semester work. McIntosh Theatre, E.V. Moore Building. 7:30 p.m. ---- ---------- Saturday MUSIC Heavy Weather No, not Carl Weathers. Come inside from the cold to hear these torrential slammers downpour your ears with music. Cross Street Station, 511 W. Cross St, Ypslianti, 485-5050. 10:30 p.m. Jackyl Look out for another Bruce Willis sighting at these monsters-of- rock concert. Harpo's, 14238 Harper St., Detroit. (313) 824-1700. 8 p.m. Man or Astro-man? Dying to know which? Maybe this show will unlock the mystery. The Magic Stick, 120 Woodward Ave., Detroit. (313) 833- 9700. THEATER ALTERNATIVES 3 Dimensions, 2 Scales, 1 Designer See Thursday. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Dance and Related Arts See Thursday. 8 p~m. Drawings by Delacroix See Thursday. 10 p.m. - 5 p.m. Loren Estleman Michigan author Loren Estleman will be signing copies of her thriller "Jitterbug." Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 3245 Washtenaw Ave., 677-6475. 6:30 p.m. Michael Feldman Public radio person- ality comes to Ann Arbor for a live broadcast of "Whad'Ya Know?" Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave., 764-0450. 10:30 a.m. $15 & $24. Figure Skating Holiday Exhibition University figure skaters entertain in a prepared holiday performance. It's kind of like the Ice Capades, but it's not. Yost Ice Arena, 1000 5. State St., 764-4600. 6 p.m. $5. Horn Studio Recital Students of Bryan Kennedy will perform repertory. Britton Rectial Hall, Moore Building. 7:30 p.m. Over the Rhine A Christmas show in support of their newest CD, "The Darkest Night of the Year." The Ark, 316 1/2 South Main St., 761-1451. 7 p.m. $10. Violin Studio Recital Students of Prof. Andrew Jennings will perform violin repertory. Britton Recital Hall, E.V. Moore Building. 12 p.m. THEATER Boomtown See Thursday. 2 p.m. $20. A Christmas Carol See Thursday. 2:00 p.m and 6:30 p.m. The Gifts of the Magi See Friday. 2:30 p.m. Prof. horn E.V. Innocent Thoughts p.m. See Thursday. 2 Master Drawings a.m. - 5 p.m. See Thursday. 10 The Snow Queen See Thursday. 2 p.m. A Tuna Christmas See Thursday. 8 p.m. ALTERNATIVES By Ed Shofnsky Daily Arts Writer Last year, "Titanic" sailed away with the Christmas box office, sink- ing the competition. In its record- breaking take, however, "Good Will Hunting" "As Good As It Gets" and "Tomorrow Never Dies" were all Christmas films that managed to passithe coveted $100 million mark. As school ends and the holiday season begins, moviegoers will be inundated with everything from romantic comedies to war movies - all in search of the coveted Oscar and box office gold. With the Christmas movie season quickly approaching, though, the absence of a definite Christmas blockbuster is evident. The only movie that seems sure to dominate ticket sales is the second teaming of director Nora Ephron with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in "You've Got Mail." After the amaz- ing success of the trio's first effort in "Sleepless in Seattle," industry insiders say "You've Got Mail" is promised at the very least a $100 million take, and more likely around $150 million. After that, though, it's unclear which other movies, if any, will tick- le the fancy of moviegoers. "Star Trek: Insurrection" will obviously appeal to Trekkies, but whether or not it will crossover to normal audiences is a big question. The last "Star Trek" movie, "First Contact," managed about $90 mil- lion, and was considered a surprise hit. With a very bad buzz coming off "Insurrection," the likelihood that it will reproduce "First Contact"'s suc- cess is low. Nevertheless, any "Star Trek" movie is good for at least a healthy $60-65 million box office draw. The potential-blockbuster catego- ry is much more crowded this year, making it very likely that at least one of these films will breakout. Filling out this category are, "Stepmom," "Patch Adams," "A Civil Action," "Thin Red Line" and "Prince of Egypt." Of these, "Stepmom" is on the shakiest ground. It has the power to be a breakout hit with its big stars (Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts and Ed Harris) and sensitive subject matter, but these things can also hurt it by creating high expectations. Also, the question of whether people trying to get into the holiday spirit will go to see a movie in which one of the protagonists has cancer and is going to die still persists. Last Christmas all of the $100 million grossers were up-lifting or on a $1 billion "Titanic" scale. And "Stepmom" certainly isn't "Titanic." Nevertheless, if "Stepmom" breaks out, it should gross around $80 mil- lion; if not, $20 million. Even though Robin Williams has had a rough year which saw his first film "What Dreams May Come" bomb at the box office and has a his- tory of flopping in dramadies (see "Jack," better yet, don't), "Patch Adams" has hit written all over it. Despite its trailer that makes it look See MOVIES, Page 7B Sunday CAMPUS CINEMA Firelight (1997) Period piece about a Swiss governess searching for her child, years after she was whisked away at birth. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 5 & 7:15 p.m. MUSIC Ann Arbor Grail Singers This women's ensemble will sing Christmas carols from the renaissance era to modern times. University Reformed Church, 928 E. Ann St. 663-9230. 4 p.m. $9 for students, others $12. E.A.R. Sweet melodies shall enter from afar. The Shelter, 431 Congress St., Detroit, under St. Andrews, (313) 961-MELT. 8 p.m. Faculty Recital Prof. Charles Daval will present a recital of trumpet music. Britton Recital Hall, E.V. Moore Building. 4 p.m. 3 Dimensions, 2 Scales, 1 Designer See Thursday. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Docent Tour A free tour of the "Master Drawings from the WorcesterArt Museum" exhibit. University Museum of Art, 525 S. State St., 2 p.m. Drawings by Delacroix See Thursday. 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Japanese Tea Ceremony A monthly event at the museum, this ceremony is titled, "Downy Flakes: An Unseasonable Flower Over the Flowerless Field."University Museum of Art, 525 S. State St., 764-0395. 3 p.m. $3 suggested donation. Local Author Fair Area authors including Loren Estleman, James Tobin, Lowell Cauffiel, Russell Bidlack, Jerry Prescott, Dale Fisher, Sarah Zettel, Craig Holden, Lois Kane, and Zonya Foco will be avail- able to sign copies of their books. Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave., 327-4200. 2 p.m. A Christmas Carol p.m. and 6:30 p.m. See Thursday. 2 From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweller See Thursday. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Gifts of the Magi See Friday. 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. How? Why? See Friday. 8 p.m. innocent Thoughts See Thursday. 8 p.m. Master Drawings p.m. - 5 p.m. See Thursday. 12 Ann Arbor favorite Billy E The Ark tonight. Monda CAMPUS CINEMA Firelight (1997) See Su & 9:15 p.m. MUSIC The Randy Napoleon Monday night favorite. another evening of cla original compositions. Pierpont Commons, 21 Blvd., 764-7544. 8 p.m. THEATER A Tuna Christmas Se p.m. A LTERNATIVES 3 Dimensions, 2 Scales See Thursday. 11 a.m. - Tuesda CAMPUS CINEMA Firelight (1997) See Su & 9:15 p.m. MUSIC Explosion: Cerebral Thi feel if R.E.M. showed ul playing "What's th Kenneth?" Bird of P South Ashley St., 662- $5. Nothin' But the Blues Reed hosts this blowout the decade. Tap Roc Michigan Ave., Ypsilan 9:30 p.m. THEATER A Christmas Carol See a.m. and 2 p.m. $25. A Tuna Christmas See p.m. Courtesy of Annette O aoo From left to right, Jeff Moehie, Matt Gross, Phillip Barry, and Troy Stansberry are Knee Deep Shag. They hit The Blind Pig Friday night. Contrary to popular opinion, Austin Powers is not an official band member.