Our Picks

[Movies]

Films open Friday and are in general release unless otherwise noted. Opening dates subject to change. Checkhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/moviesor Friday's Weekend section for details and complete movie listings.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE RUSSIAN FANTASTIK-- See Critics' Choice.

ALL ROADS FILM FESTIVAL-- Opens Thursday. Through Oct. 7. Feature and documentary films from around the world take center stage, and an art market and musical performances add to the draw. For a schedule, visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com. National Geographic, Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St. NW. $9-$63, seniors and students $7-$45. 202-857-7700.

THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD-- The dramatic western starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck explores the life and times of one of America's most celebrated outlaws.

THE DARJEELING LIMITED-- See Can't Miss.

FEEL THE NOISE-- Omarion stars in this tale of a young South Bronx man who dreams of making it as a rapper.

THE HOTTEST STATE-- Ethan Hawke wrote and directed the film starring Mark Webber, Jesse Harris and Laura Linney about a young Texan actor trying to make it in New York while struggling with a relationship with a musician.

IRA & ABBY-- The quirky romantic comedy starring Chris Messina and Jennifer Westfeldt examines marriage and monogamy in the relationship of a neurotic Jewish man and his twice-divorced spouse. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $6.75-$9.50. 202-452-7672.

LUST, CAUTION-- Ang Lee's first film since taking home an Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain" is an espionage thriller set in World War II-era Shanghai. Starring Asian cinema icon Tony Leung and rising Taiwanese star Tang Wei. In Mandarin with English subtitles. Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. $6.75-$9.50. 301-652-7273.

VANAJA-- Mamatha Bhukya plays the title character in director Rajnesh Domalpalli's tale of a 15-year-old lower-caste Indian girl who yearns to become a dancer. In Telugu with English subtitles. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $6.75-$9.50. 202-452-7672.

[On Stage]

THE WORD BEGINS-- Opens Tuesday. Through Dec. 2. Drama, sketch comedy and hip-hop culture combine in this spoken-word performance written by and starring Steve Connell and Sekou (tha Misfit). Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. $41-$63. 703-820-9771 or 800-955-5566.

OPERA LAFAYETTE-- Thursday at 8 p.m. Sopranos Ah Young Hong and Heidi Grant Murphy perform with tenor Jean-Paul Fouch¿court and baritone William Sharp in this re-creation of the 18th-century French celebrations at Versailles. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. $21-$55. 301-581-5100.

ARTEFACTS DANCE COMPANY-- Saturday at 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. The group performs excerpts from "Exit and Enter Amour" along with a premier work, "Mas Kawin, the Illuminated Dowry," on Saturday. On Oct. 7 is a shorter program with student performances and social dances. Joy of Motion Dance Center, Friendship Heights, 5207 Wisconsin Ave. NW. $10-$15. 202-362-3042.

BALLET FOLKL¿RICO DE M¿XICO-- Saturday at 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. Dances from the pre-Columbian era, the Hispanic Viceroy period and the Revolutionary years inspire the choreography of Amalia Hern¿ndez's dance troupe, which seeks to capture the rich and diverse cultural traditions of its native land. George Mason University, Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax. $22-$44. 703-993-8888 or 888-945-2468.

TEHREEMA MITHA DANCE COMPANY AND DAKSHINA/DANIEL PHOENIX SINGH DANCE COMPANY-- Saturday at 8 p.m. The local dance troupes perform contemporary works intended to explore the limits of traditional Indian dance. BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown. $20-$25. 301-528-2260.

[Sports]

CAPITALS-- Today at 5 p.m. The final preseason game, against the Ottawa Senators. Saturday at 7 p.m. Regular-season home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. $9-$169 today. $35-$95 Saturday. 202-397-7328. (For more on the Capitals, see SnapShot, Page 5.)