Robert Wise's 1951 pacifist fable stands out from the common run of Cold War science fiction, portraying an alien visitor (Michael Rennie) as hero rather than monster. Wise borrows a few visual tricks from his onetime boss Orson Welles, but the biggest impact comes from Bernard Herrmann​'s pioneering theremin score, ruthlessly plundered by Danny Elfman​ in Mars Attacks! Kino, tomorrow, 3pm. Tickets $10 or less.

2. THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PT 2 (137 minutes) M

The finale of the dystopian young-adult series finds Katniss Everdeen​ (Jennifer Lawrence) returning to the fray with a plan to take down the tyrannical President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Demonstrating that blockbusters don't have to be brainless, this has as much to say about the morality of violence – and the limits of individual heroism – as any Oscar-nominated "prestige picture". General.

3. DICK TRACY (105 minutes) PG

A star vehicle for director Warren Beatty, this 1990 adaptation of the famed comic strip about a heroic police detective was one of the boldest blockbusters of its day. Key ingredients include stylised production design by Richard Sylbert, songs by Stephen Sondheim, and a rogue's gallery of grotesque gangsters led by a hilarious Al Pacino as "Big Boy" Caprice. Presented by the Cinemaniacs film society. Digitally projected. Backlot Studios, today, 7.30pm. Bookings recommended (cinemaniacs.net).

4. SUMMER WARS (114 minutes) PG

Following his acclaimed debut The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, the anime director Mamoru Hosada​ confirmed his talent with this 2011 follow-up, another poetic science-fiction coming-of-age story linking the past and future. The hero is a teenage maths whiz (voiced by Ryunosuke Kamiki​) who teams up with an aristocratic family to battle an artificial intelligence wreaking havoc online. Digitally projected. ACMI, today and tomorrow, 10.30am and 1pm. Tickets $7 or less.

5. THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING (90 minutes) Unrated

Based on the recent book of the same title by No Logo author Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis' documentary argues that the threat of climate change demands a full-scale overhaul of the capitalist system. The filmmaking is conventionally glossy but the message couldn't be more urgent. Screens as part of a special program that includes short works and talks by guest speakers. Federation Square (outdoor screening), today, 5.30pm. Free.