Catch a flick at the Student Union Theatre this fall

If you ever find yourself bored on a weekend night, you don’t feel like partying or you can’t get to Mansfield or Buckland Hills to catch a movie, there’s a great alternative to your usual weekend night in the center of campus: the Student Union Theatre. Three nights a week in the north end of the Union, recent movies run to entertain students for merely $2 a ticket. Showtimes are Thursdays at 9 p.m., Saturdays at 8 and 11 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m.

On Fridays, older favorites are shown for free at 10 p.m., if you want to see a classic during Late Night. Here’s a rundown of what SUBOG has lined up this semester.

August 30-September 1

First up, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Agent J and Agent K are saving the world from evil aliens. On Thursday and Saturday, “Men in Black 3” is taking the Union back to the 60s. On Friday night, the original “MIB” will be shown as the first free film of the fall.

September 2

Things are a little different on Labor Day Sunday, as instead of the black-suited special agents, Katniss Everdeen will be fighting for survival on the Student Union Mall. A free showing of “The Hunger Games” takes place outside the Union at 8:30 p.m.

September 6-9

With this week’s first-run pick, “Snow White and the Huntsman,” you can temporarily transport yourself in time to June, back before Kristen Stewart shattered the world’s heart by cheating on Robert Pattinson.

On Friday, Russell Crowe steals from the rich and gives to the students in a free showing of 2010’s “Robin Hood.” Here at Focus, we think the best Robin Hood was the fox from that Disney movie, but Crowe did a great job too.

September 13-16

When Focus Editor Joe O’Leary went to a New York City press screening of “Rock of Ages,” he said Tom Cruise was “actually pretty fantastic” in the film as rock star Stacee Jaxx. See for yourself when the 80s musical takes over the Student Union Theatre screen.

And a true classic will be shown at Friday’s Late Night. Bueller, anyone? That’s right, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” will recount that wonderful day Matthew Broderick skipped school to take a trip to Chicago.

September 20-23

In a yearly tradition, UConn Family Weekend coincides with a Disney/Pixar weekend at the theater. “Brave,” the year’s most successful animated film, is the first run pick, while what is arguably Pixar’s best film, “Toy Story 3,” graces the screen Friday during Late Night.

September 27-30

A pair of spider-like men take over this weekend in the U. Your first-run pick is Andrew Garfield’s starring role in this summer’s “The Amazing Spider-Man,” while Friday’s free flick is one Focus writer’s favorite comic book movie of all time, 2004’s “Spider-Man 2.” Who wore it better, Garfield or Tobey Maguire?

October 4-7

Two dark crime dramas come to the U in the first week of October to coincide with the quickly-shortening days. First up is Oliver Stone’s sprawling marijuana cartel thriller, “Savages,” as the first-run pick.

As for Friday night, while we don’t have the “Pulp Fiction” diner Jack Rabbit Slim’s at UConn, a milkshake from Jack Rabbit’s on Storrs Road may be the perfect companion to a viewing of Tarantino’s classic L.A. crime tale.

October 11-14

It’s comedy week from two  hilarious filmmakers this week. First up is “Family Guy” creator Seth McFarlane’s box-office smash “Ted.” Want to see Mark Wahlberg down shots with a talking teddy bear? Of course you do. Go see it.

And on Friday night, the best comedy of the year, “21 Jump Street,” hits Late Night. Will Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum’s undercover cops be in attendance tonight, preparing for the film’s college-set sequel? No, but wouldn’t that be cool?

October 18-21

Want to perfect your Batman, Bane, Catwoman, Joker or Commissioner Gordon costume before Halloween? Check out this summer’s conclusion to the Dark Knight trilogy, “The Dark Knight Rises,” and be sure to catch Friday’s free “Dark Knight” showing for more fun in Gotham City.