What: “Rent”

When: 6:30 and 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Design 101

Sponsored by: Free Friday Flicks

Director: Chris Columbus

Starring: Rosario Dawson, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs

Length: 135 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material involving drugs and sexuality and for some strong language

Awards and nominations: Satellite Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress; Satellite Award nominations for Outstanding Director, Outstanding Motion Picture and Outstanding Sound (Mixing and Editing); Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards nominations for Best Acting Ensemble, Best Song and Best Soundtrack

Why you should see it: Jonathan Larson’s rock opera garnered him a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award in 1996. Columbus directs this film version of Larson’s story, which is based on Puccini’s opera “La Boheme.” “Rent” covers one year in the lives of New York City bohemians who struggle internally and with each other as they deal with the AIDS epidemic. The story shows the events – large and small – that happen in a year.

What: “One Bright Shining Moment” (2005)

When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday

Where: Great Hall of the Memorial Union

Sponsored by: Student Union Board

Director: Stephen Vittoria

Starring: Warren Beatty, Gore Vidal, George McGovern, Gloria Steinem

Length: 123 minutes

Rating: unrated

Awards and nominations: none

Why you should see it: George McGovern made a presidential run on a grassroots campaign in 1972. Although he lost, he made a bold statement about putting the American people first.

Featuring interviews with the candidate, activists and popular culture figures, this documentary explores the nature of American government in relation to the defeat of a respected man.