A pair of Italian films share screen time at Doris Duke Theatre today. At 1 p.m. catch 2005's "Mario's War" ("La Guerra Di Mario"), the tale of a rebellious boy — that would be the Mario of the title — taken from his abusive mother and placed in the temporary custody of a young couple. Go out into the real world afterward for some baked ziti or espresso, and return to the Duke at 7:30 p.m. for 2004's "After Midnight" ("Dopo Mezzanotte"). In this one, a shy cinema museum night watchman and a girl who lives for the museum's silent movies fall for each other — with complications, of course. Each flick $7 general, $5 museum members. 532-8768.

— Derek Paiva

ICE CREAM TREAT

COOL OFF FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Cold Stone Creamery celebrates its fifth anniversary and raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the world's largest ice cream social, 5 to 8 p.m. today at all locations. Visitors get a free 3-ounce serving of Cole's Creation — chocolate ice cream, yellow cake, chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles. Donations go to the foundation, which helps grant the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions. Cole, 10, took part in Make-A-Wish; he's this year's Junior Tastemaster. His wish: To meet New York firemen, after the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks.

INFO BY CELL PHONE

For local movie listings, send text message with "M" plus ZIP code (e.g., m96817) to 44636 (4INFO). Info is free; your phone plan may charge a fee.

FINAL WORD

"I'm serious."

Al Franken | the writer and political pundit when asked what his campaign slogan will be if he runs for the Senate in Minnesota in 2008, in Time magazine