Scheduled to open in area theaters next weekend (July 17) is nothing. That's due, of course, to a certain mid-week (Wednesday July 15) opening - namely:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, No. 6 in the film edition of the series, with hormones and other things percolating as never before alongside a deeper investigation into Lord Voldemort's deep, dark past - specifically, finding the key that will allow the unlocking of the lord's defenses. Recruited for the mission is Dumbledore's old friend and colleague Prof. Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent), who may hold some crucial information. Meanwhile, down on the raging hormones front, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself being drawn to Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), as is Dean Thomas (Alfie Enoch). Then there's Ginny's bro' Ron (Rupert Grint), pursued by Lavendar Brown (Jessie Cave), and lovelorn Hermione (Emma Watson), trying to suppress her jealousies. (Yes, you'll need a scorecard.)

Film clips

- Midnight madness: Normal's Stadium 14 is ushering in its two new weekend arrivals - Bruno and I Love You, Beth Cooper - with special midnight screenings tonight. The Stadium's after-hours fun continues at midnight Tuesday, with a screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Also granting Harry the midnight treatment Tuesday is Bloomington's Palace Cinemas.

- Wild about Harry: Speaking of the Palace Cinemas' midnight screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - that's merely the climax to an all-day Potter-thon Tuesday in which the entire franchise will be unreeled for a flat $15 ticket fee: HP & The Sorcerer's Stone, 9 a.m.; HP & The Chamber of Secrets, 11:45 a.m.; HP & The Prisoner of Azkaban, 3:15 p.m.; HP & The Goblet of Fire, 5:45 p.m.; and HP & The Order of the Phoenix, 9:15 p.m.

- Here's the one that you want: What better circumstances to view Grease than in the thick of an midsummer outdoor car cruise festival? That'll be the option this weekend when downtown Decatur's 17th Annual Cruisin' Downtown car show tries to re-create the '50s drive-in movie experience with a showing of the musical on a 30-foot screen at 9 p.m. Saturday. In addition to the movie, the event, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., also includes 550 classic, custom and antique vehicles; arts and crafts; food and beverage vendors; and an entertainment stage with headliners the St. Louis GTO's and area bands Second Edition, Soul Purpose and Altered Ego.