Movies
Two very different men find common ground in cancer and aging in Rob Reiner’s tear-coaxing romp “The Bucket List.” After being diagnosed with cancer, health care tycoon Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and auto mechanic/family man Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) become hospital roomies, then friends, who embark on a full-on mission to have no regrets. In a season of star pairings, Nicholson and Freeman prove that sentimental journeys are not solely the terrain of chick flicks. The master of voice-over, Freeman intones at the start “he died with his eyes closed and his heart open.” This comedy about living your dreams — big or deep, expensive or priceless — should be on your list. Lisa Kennedy
Classical music
His name is largely forgotten now, but Leroy Anderson was a popular composer in the 1940s and 1950s. Although he wrote ambitious works such as his Concerto in C for Piano and Orchestra (1954), his success largely rested on smaller instrumental works. His recording of “Blue Tango” made it to No. 1 on the Hit Parade of 1952. Other familiar works include “Sleigh Ride” and “The Typewriter.” To mark the 100th anniversary of Anderson’s birth, guest conductor Carl Topilow will lead a Colorado Symphony pops tribute at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Boettcher Concert Hall. Tickets are $15-$69.50. 303-623-7876 or . Kyle MacMillan
Stage
“The Lion in Winter” is the rare (quasi-) historical play that looks like Shakespeare, but sounds like you can understand what the heck the actors are talking about. The Victorian Playhouse is offering a surprisingly stacked ensemble to tackle the tale of the terribly dysfunctional King Henry II, his wisecracking wife and his three flawed errors. . . . I mean, heirs. Yes, this is a massive, consequential blood feud that threatened to split England into bits in 1183, but here it’s a jolly, zinger-filled tale audiences are eating up like so much popcorn. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 9 at 4201 Hooker St. $20-$22 (303-433-4343 or .). John Moore
Television
“Comanche Moon,” beginning at 8 tonight on KCNC-Channel 4, is a six- hour miniseries adaptation of the Larry McMurtry novel, the prequel to his “Lonesome Dove.” The film was slated to be broadcast last year, then held for this non-sweeps date. Woodrow Call and Gus McCrae (Karl Urban and Steve Zahn in the roles played by Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall in the 1989 CBS miniseries) are in their middle years in this piece, still serving as Texas Rangers. With Val Kilmer, Rachel Griffiths and Linda Cardellini. Joanne Ostrow
Visual arts
With his latest group of 24 pieces — a smart, sophisticated body of work — it is clear that Pard Morrison, a near-lifelong resident of Colorado Springs, has arrived. He has become, quite simply, one of the states’ top abstract artists. He is showcased in “50 Ways to Fall in Love,” an exhilarating solo exhibition, which has been extended through Jan. 19 at the Rule Gallery, 227 Broadway. These new offerings, which blur the bounds of minimalism and geometric abstraction, use the full spectrum of colors and and incorporate a rich array of compositional structures. 303-777-9473 or . Kyle MacMillan
Popular music
Dance-pop is a flighty genre that annoints new stars at least once a week. If you can last in that world, consider yourself a pop music cockroach. The Bravery hasn’t yet proved whether it has any staying power. After landing with the fun single “Honest Mistake” years ago, the Bravery came back with a slightly more varied outing, “The Sun and the Moon,” in ’07. The New York band plays Boulder’s Fox Theatre on Wednesday and Denver’s Bluebird Theatre on Thursday. More information: ., ., . Ricardo Baca
Night life
The Improv at Northfield Stapleton offers a break from the dude-with-a-mic comedy norm on Thursday with the Divas of Denver. The quartet of female stand-ups includes Stephanie McHugh, Just Jay and Rubi Nicholas — all of whom appeared on Nick at Nite’s “Funniest Mom in America” contest. Stephanie and Just Jay were finalists and Rubi won “Funniest Mom of 2006.” Fourth member Gretchen Hess tours nationally. 8246 E. 49th Ave. No. 1400. 7:30 p.m. $12, 21 and up. 303-307-1777 or . John Wenzel
