Summer blockbuster season has its ebbs and flows, and this weekend certainly seems more ebb than flow. Still, it's not entirely devoid of movies to catch on the big screen (although Cinema Clock is trying to convince me that movies that have been out for weeks, that I have seen for myself in this very city, are just now premiering in Ottawa).

In terms of Hollywood-fare, Land of the Lost, a remake of the mid-70s TV show of same name and starring Will Ferrell*, and My Life in Ruins, in which Nia Vardalos learns that sometimes men are hot underneath their beards, both open this weekend. Neither one appeal to me, but you can certainly go see them if you wish. The Hangover (pictured, © Warner Bros), a movie that tested so positively with audiences that it's already been greenlit for a sequel, also opens this weekend, and I will be going to see that. I mean, who thought to put Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis together?

If you're feeling more art-housey, Act of God and Sin Nombre are opening this weekend at the Bytowne, and English Surgeon is opening at the Mayfair. If you're feeling art-housey and French-Canadian, J'ai tué ma mère, which won accolades and awards at Directors' Fornight (part of the Cannes Film Festival) just weeks ago, opens this weekend in Gatineau.  

Friday

Gatineau: ESPACE ODYSSÉE presents works of Martine Savard from June 5 to October 11, 2009. Martine Savard believes creation cannot occur without social interactions. To collect comments from her fellow Abitibians on social, political and cultural matters, she set up a kiosk with a sign reading "Artist seeks your inspiration. Complete this sentence: And yet the world contains . . . ,"  giving birth to images from which she created her works. The vernissage is this Friday, June 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free; come one, come all.

New Edinburgh: Dale Smith Gallery (137 Beechwood Ave.) is pleased to present "Behind Closed Doors," an exhibition of mixed-media assemblage pieces by Toronto artist Julie Liger-Belair. Join them on Friday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. to toast the opening of the show! The show runs until June 23.

This just in: you can check out the Canada Museum of Civilization's new exhibit for free this Monday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Why? Because the museum is offering free admission next Monday! Free, baby, free! I assume this has something to due with International Museum Day. I wonder what other local institutions will get in on the act. If you haven't already made plans for Victoria Day, I suggest you include this on your list. 

Art on a Wednesday? That's crazy talk! Even so, there's an artist talk tonight at 7:30 at DAÏMÕN's StudiÕ (80 Hanson Street, Gatineau (Hull area)). The artist's talk will take the form of a survey of Milutin Gubash's photo, video and live-action works made from 2003, when notions of autobiography and its narrative constructs -- games played with truth and fiction, fact and fantasy -- become foregrounded in his practice.

Gatineau: Nadine Bariteau and Dan Bernyk have a show opening tonight from 6 to 8 at Maison de la culture (855, Boul. de la Gappe). It's a combination of steel sculpture (Bernyk) and silk screen canvases (Bariteau). Show's on until May 3rd. Bertrand R. Pitt has a new video installation, "Horizon Incertains," at Studiõ de DAÏMÕN (78, rue Hansen, Hull Sector) on until March 29th. 

Bank St: The Patrick Mikhail Gallery (2401 Bank St.) present Susan McEachern's new series, "Structures of Meaning" (pictured: Information Dependence from Backyard Community). The opening reception is tonight from 5:30 to 9, and the works will be exhibit until April 6th. Artguise Gallery (590 Bank St.) also has an opening tonight for new work by Bill McCann. It's on from 7:30 to 10:30. Show closes April 13th.