all day

Movies

In “Stuart Little,” which is based on the beloved children’s book by E.B. White, Michael J. Fox is the voice of the title character, a digitally created tiny white mouse who is adopted by a human family (Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie and Jonathan Lipnicki), much to the consternation of their spoiled cat, Snowbell (voiced by Nathan Lane). The film is directed by Rob Minkoff, who co-directed “The Lion King.” And how’s this for trivia? The folks at Columbia Pictures tell us that during the course of production, the 23 trained cats portraying eight feline roles went through 3,000 pounds of kitty litter and 4 kilograms of catnip. Animal lovers will be glad to hear that there were no injuries reported during filming, although the crew had to break 32 times for hairball attacks.

* “Stuart Little,” rated PG for brief language, opens Friday in general release.

all day

Movies

‘Tis the season for the prestige (read Oscar) movie, and two of the most anticipated films open Friday: “Anna and the King” and “Magnolia.” The two films, however, could hardly be more different. “Anna,” which stars Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat in the title roles, is a lush, old-fashioned epic, while “Magnolia” from wunderkind director Paul Thomas Anderson (“Boogie Nights”) is a marathon (three hours and nine minutes), episodic saga about a motley group of characters who live in the San Fernando Valley. The “Magnolia” ensemble cast includes Tom Cruise, Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

* “Anna and the King” is rated PG-13 for some intense, violent sequences. “Magnolia” is rated R for strong language, drug use, sexuality and some violence. Both films open Friday in selected theaters.

7:30pm

Movies

British actor Michael Caine summed up his career best during his acceptance speech at this year’s Golden Globes while picking up his award for best supporting actor in “Little Voice”: “My career must be slipping--this is the first time I’ve ever been available to pick up an award.” Indeed Caine is one of the most prolific film actors around, and the American Cinematheque is feting him with a seven-day, 14-film tribute, “Raising Caine: The Films of Michael Caine.” Times film reviewer Kevin Thomas calls Caine’s part as an independent-thinking doctor in the current “The Cider House Rules” “a career-crowning portrayal.”

* American Cinematheque Presents “Raising Caine: The Films of Michael Caine,” Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Friday: “The Ipcress File” (1965) and “Billion Dollar Brain” (1967). Saturday: “The Italian Job” (1969) and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (1988). Sunday: “Educating Rita” (1983) and “Alfie” (1966). Monday: “Hannah and Her Sisters” (1986) and “Little Voice” (1998). Tuesday: “Dressed to Kill” (1980) and “Deathtrap” (1982). Wednesday: “Get Carter” (1971) and “Pulp” (1972). Dec. 23: “The Man Who Would Be King” (1975) and “Zulu” (1964). All double features begin at 7:30 p.m. $5 to $7. Also Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m., a free screening of an interview with Caine at the Egyptian. (323) 466-FILM.

8pm

Music

The Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates “Joys of the Season” three times this weekend with Joanna Gleason as guest performer and Jon Bailey conducting.

* Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles sings “Joys of the Season,” the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 8 p.m. Also Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. $15 to $35. (800) MEN-SING.

8pm

Music

Conducted by Richard Kaufman, the Pacific Symphony Pops and the All American Boys Chorus join pianist Roger Williams in a holiday program. Veteran actor-singer Nanette Fabray is the narrator.

* Pianist Roger Williams and the Pacific Symphony Pops, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 8 p.m. Also, Saturday, 8 p.m. $14 to $54. (714) 755-5799.

1pm

Museum

The Museum of Television & Radio introduces a compendium screening chronicling the rise of the Super Bowl as a premier showcase for new advertising. Narrated by Frank Gifford, “Super Bowl: Super Showcase for Commercials” features some of Madison Avenue’s most memorable characters, including the Budweiser lizards and the famous Orwellian Apple computer commercial directed by Ridley Scott and not seen since its Super Bowl airing in 1984.

* “Super Bowl: Super Showcase for Commercials,” the Museum of Television & Radio, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 1 p.m. Screens daily except Mondays and Tuesdays. Additional 6 p.m. screening on Thursdays. Ends Feb. 13. $6; seniors and students, $4; under age 13, $3. (310) 786-1000.

Freebies:

Los Angeles photographer Catherine Opie discusses “William Eggleston and the Color Tradition” at 6 and 7:30 p.m. at the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Brentwood. Sign-up begins at 4:30 p.m. at the information desk. (310) 440-7300.

Sophisticated vocalist Julie Kelly and her quartet are at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd. L.A., 5:30 p.m. (323) 857-6000.