The Stranger

(EVEN TOUGHER MOTHER) The former Secretary of State, who recently told the New York Times that she can "leg-press up to 400 pounds," speaks with Washington Post columnist Michael Kinsley about politics and religion. Albright has a new book out, The Mighty and the Almighty, which looks at the problem of religious fervor in a world system more used to dealing with "rational actors." Asked by the Times whether it might be rational to be spiritual, Albright responded: "No." (Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave, 682-7395. 7:30 pm, $10/$50 [patron ticket includes reception, book, and good seats].) by Eli Sanders

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(FILM) A straightforward—which is to say, turbulent and vertiginous—recounting of one of several "events" of September 11, 2001, United 93 is a fascinating movie. It's about heroism, but it offers no heroic characters. It's about chaos, but it's rigorously structured. It's based on a narrative encumbered with the grandeur of myth, but the screenplay is astonishingly quiet: more like the outline for a story than an already inked annal of history. (See Movie Times for details.) by Annie Wagner

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(READING) It's been 10 years since his last book of short stories. The new collection is called The Dead Fish Museum. Half of it is set in the Northwest, most of it was first published in the New Yorker, and every story involves either crazy people, sexy liars, or guns. In this week's book section—see p. 28—Dale Peck likens the first story to Ernest Hemingway and Flannery O'Connor holding hands. (Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600. 7:30 pm, free.) by Christopher Frizzelle

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(ART & WALKING) The map of the 53 sites and 75 artists in this annual alternative to First Thursday includes 17th-century religious icons and a show with a space-travel theme benefiting 826 Seattle. If you would rather not stumble upon greatness but have it thrust upon you, a team of jurors has selected works they're calling "Top Picks" for this year, to be shown at the Phinney Center Gallery. (Greenwood Ave N and Phinney Ave N between N 65th St and N 87th St, www.greenwoodphinneyartwalk.com. Noon–5 pm, free.) by Jen Graves

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(FILM) How you feel about La Mujer de Mi Hermano depends on how you feel about sex. There are three characters, they're all burning hot, they speak Spanish, they ruin each other's lives, and it all goes down in a huge, modern house in Mexico City with a glowing pool. (See Movie Times for more info.) by Christopher Frizzelle

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(FORGOTTEN FRENCH NOIR) There are many reasons to see Northwest Film Forum's revival of Claude Sautet's Classe Tous Risques. Here're three: (1) Its thief-running-from-his-past plot is bleak yet surprisingly humanistic; (2) the gorgeous black-and-white photography and European locales make you long for a time and a place you'll never experience; and (3) it serves as a handy reminder that Jean-Paul Belmondo remains one of the coolest actors ever to grace the screen—in any language. (See Movie Times for more info.) by Bradley Steinbacher

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