A laugh riot
Known as they are for trampling human rights and fostering brutal autocratic regimes, fascists have rarely made for good comedic fodder. We can't help but chuckle at Benito Mussolini's utter lack of fashion sense despite ruling one of the world's couture capitals -- Il Duce's jodhpurs and cropped jackets were definitely an Il Don't for a portly man -- and still smile at knowing quasi-fascist Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead. We find little to laugh at when thinking about Adolf Hitler, yet we love that Charlie Chaplin savaged the dour tyrant in the "The Great Dictator," his poignant and hysterical takedown of Hitler that was filmed just as World War II erupted across Europe. A newly restored print is showing at 7:50 tonight and 12:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Museum of Fine Arts, an event co-sponsored by the Boston Jewish Film Festival. MFA members, seniors, and students pay $8; general admission is $9.
465 Huntington Ave., 617-267-9300.
Into thin air
Mary Timony's wonderfully breathy voice has thrilled us for a few years, and we'll admit to liking her work more now that she's dissolved her band Helium and apparently taken a deep liking to King Crimson records. Our fantasy band lineup would have Timony alternating lead vocals and guitars with Doug Martsch from Built to Spill, both backed by Crimson stalwarts Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, and Bill Bruford. No such lineup luck tonight, but we'll gladly take Timony and her own fine band at T.T. the Bear's Place. With Arrangement and Roh Delkat. Tickets $7. Show starts at 9.
10 Brookline St., Cambridge, 617-492-2327.
Rain, rain, go away
Our luck with the weather has mirrored our luck with the lottery, which is why we're writing this for our daily bread and not piloting our own private jet to go clubbing in Ibiza for the weekend. We're pining for a bit of sun, and maybe just a hint of a tropical breeze, but more soul-chilling rain is on the way tonight. Given that, we can heartily recommend ducking out of the slushy slop for a good meal and an earful at Zuzu! Avant-jazz quartet Fully Celebrated Orchestra warms up the place tonight; we'll expect to see other ink-stained wretches in the audience.474 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278.
Ho ho ho to you, too, pal
Our mood usually plummets this time of year -- imagine Scrooge with a severe case of seasonal affective disorder -- so we're looking at almost anything to help raise our spirits. Christmas carols are useless, as we haven't been invited caroling in the years since we started substituting filthy phrases for the real words. Mulled wine is for lightweights; we'll take the mulled single malt Scotch, please . . . and hold the spices. We may try that recipe at the Plough and Stars tonight, as we attempt to brighten our outlook with the usually hilarious Bad Art Ensemble. In the times we've seen this bizarre assemblage of musicians, they've been unfailingly funny. Perhaps this is too much pressure to put on Max Azanow and his comrades, but shouldn't someone else share our pain? No cover. Show at 9 p.m. 912 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-441-3455.
One ring to rule the box office
As we're in an especially confessional mood, we'll reveal that for the past two Fridays -- nights when we should have been carousing and kicking up our heels -- we were snuggled in comfy movie seats watching extended versions of parts one and two of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. That's only about an 8.5 on the geekdom scale, with a solid 9 going to diehard fans who yesterday watched an 11-hour marathon of all three films at theaters around the world. Perfect 10s, if you're asking, are reserved for those pallid souls who can't tear themselves away from playing the online fantasy game Everquest to care about anything happening in the big blue room outside. We'll stoke our role-playing fantasies with a temporary, three-hour immersion in the epic "The Return of the King," which starts its wide release today after some preview engagements yesterday. Tickets are harder to find than a parking space in Southie, so order ahead or hope for the best.Check theater listings for showings.
Events can always be canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; call to confirm. Go! can be reached at go@globe.com or by calling 617-929-8257.
