Zeitgeist films, Jimmy Stewart and a wonderful wizard

The "Zeitgeist: Films of Our Times" series celebrating the independent distributor Zeitgeist Films continues through Wednesday at SIFF Cinema. "Poison," the 1991 debut of Todd Haynes ("Far from Heaven," "Safe"), screens tonight along with Haynes' short film "Dottie Gets Spanked." "Ballets Russes," Dayna Goldfine and Dan Gellar's lovely 2005 documentary about ballet history, gets three screenings Saturday. A selection of surreal short films from the Quay brothers screens Sunday, followed by Derek Jarman's 1986 art-world biopic "Caravaggio" (co-starring recent Oscar winner Tilda Swinton) on Monday. Jia Zhang-ke's 2004 drama "The World," from China, screens Tuesday; and the 2002 foreign-language Academy Award winner "Nowhere in Africa," about a Jewish family who fled the Nazis for a new life in Kenya, concludes the series Wednesday. All screenings take place at SIFF Cinema, 321 Mercer St. at McCaw Hall, Seattle; for a full schedule and more information, see www.siff.net or call 206-633-7151.

The Grand Illusion begins the countdown to its 38th annual "It's a Wonderful Life" holiday run with a series called "We Heart George Bailey," featuring the films of the inimitable James — oh, let's call him Jimmy — Stewart. This week brings "Harvey," Henry Koster's 1950 film in which Stewart plays the invisible-rabbit-loving Elwood P. Dowd. It screens through Thursday at the Grand Illusion, 1403 N.E. 50th St., Seattle; 206-523-3935 or www.grandillusioncinema.org.

What could be nicer on Thanksgiving eve than a 35 mm screening of everyone's favorite family film, "The Wizard of Oz"? It's at the Metro, complete with little dogs, flying monkeys and that witch who traumatized everyone's childhood, including my own. Go watch Judy Garland sing "Over the Rainbow" and get an early start on being thankful. Metro, Wednesday only at 7 and 9 p.m., 4500 Ninth Ave., Seattle; 206-781-5755 or www.landmarktheatres.com.

And finally, this week's midnight movie at the Egyptian is "Labyrinth," the 1986 fantasy featuring Jennifer Connelly as a teenage baby-sitter and David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King. 805 E. Pine St., Seattle; 206-781-5755 or www.landmarktheatres.com.

Moira Macdonald: 206-464-2725 or mmacdonald@seattletimes.com