[Concerts]

SNAKES ON A PLANE -- Here's the premise: An assassin lets loose a crate full of deadly snakes on a commercial flight in an effort to kill a witness in protective custody, and Nelville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) is the only one who can bring the plane home safely. Sounds like a straight-to-video release, and it might have been if not for the magic of the blogosphere, which latched onto the campy project and its easily parodied star and made a throwaway action flick into one of the year's most anticipated films. And it seems like Jackson himself was behind the film's self-aware absurdity from the beginning. After signing onto the project because of its working title, the star revolted when the studio changed it briefly to "Pacific Air Flight 121." We stand behind him on this one: "Snakes on a Plane" is as honest as Hollywood gets.

TIME TO LEAVE -- A Parisian photographer (Melvil Poupaud) seems to have the perfect life until he learns he has only a few months to live. Writer-director Francois Ozon's ("Swimming Pool") film puts a twist on the Douglas Sirk 1950s melodramas that inspired it by placing a gay man at the center of the suffering. Also starring Jeanne Moreau and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. At Landmark E Street Cinema.

TRUST THE MAN -- Usually the phrase "Manhattan rom-com" makes us want to run, screaming, as far from theaters as we can get. But writer-director Bart Freundlich's film about two men struggling to save their relationships looks more interesting than its peers, and with a cast that includes David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Billy Crudup and Maggie Gyllenhaal, we have more than enough reason to check it out. At Landmark E Street Cinema.

[On Stage]

TOM RHODES -- Tuesday-Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. The comedian's stand-up act has been featured on Comedy Central and Fox's "Comic Strip Live" (plus some fans may recall his 1996 NBC sitcom "Mr. Rhodes"). DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW. $15-$17. 202-296-7008.

THE WOODPECKER -- Wednesday-Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Aug. 20 at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Brett Williams's dark comedy is the final offering in the Hatchery Festival, a collection of staged workshop presentations by as-yet-unknown playwrights. District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. $15. 202-462-7833.

RUTHLESS -- Opens Friday. Through Sept. 23. This jaunty musical comedy follows the rise of a child actress whose mother wants her to be a big star. Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. $20. 301-694-4744.

ALL-STAR COMEDY CABARET -- Friday at 10:30 p.m. Stand-up performances featuring Denny Live, Timmy Hall, Fat Doctor and Damo. Jokes on Us, 312 Main St., Laurel. $25. 410-547-7328.

PATTON OSWALT -- See Can't Miss, previous page.

[Sports]

NATIONALS -- Today at 1:05 p.m. against the New York Mets. Monday-Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. and Thursday at 1:05 p.m. against the Atlanta Braves. RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol St. $7-$45. 202-397-7328.

WWE PRESENTS SMACKDOWN -- Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The scripted conflicts of the muscle-bound soap opera are almost refreshing in light of the doping scandals in "real" sports. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. $20-$25. 202-397-7328.

WNBA PLAYOFFS -- See Can't Miss, previous page.

WIFFLE BALL WORLD SERIES FOR BRAIN CANCER -- Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The nation's finest Wiffle ball squads battle for the 11th Annual Northern Virginia Wiffle Ball World Series title. Team slots are filled, but Wiffle ball is a surprisingly exciting spectator sport. Plus there's a home-run derby, carnival games, a silent auction and more. Benefits the Brian Bedell 2-Young Fund, a charity dedicated to finding a cure for brain cancer. For complete information, see http://www.brianbedell.org . Waters Field, 130 Center St. S., Vienna. Free. 703-629-1546.

DC UNITED -- Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Colorado Rapids. Show your support for the Red and Black during this nationally televised live game (on ESPN2). RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol St. $16-$40. 202-397-7328.

STILL LOOKING? For more area happenings, look in Friday's Weekend section or go online athttp://www.washingtonpost.com/cityguide.