As in the past, the Lantern shines the way

If this trio of films opening Friday at the Magic Lantern is any indication, the weekend might not be a total moviegoing loss after all.

“Song of Sparrows” : I love Iranian films. That’s a generalized opinion that has endured through several offerings by a like number of filmmakers, ranging from Jafar Panahi (“The White Balloon,” “The Circle”) to Samira Makhmalbaf (“The Apple”) and Mohsen Makhmalbaf (“Kandahar”) and especially the director of “Song of Sparrows,” Majid Majidi (“Children of Heaven,” “The Color of Paradise”). Here, Majidi follows an everyday Iranian who, following the loss of his job, gradually loses his humanity as he strives to make a living in the streets of Tehran.

“Burma VJ” : I also love documentaries, and this one, according to Village Voice critic Ella Taylor, “should make your heart burst.” It’s a look at the 2007 street riots that caused such a backlash from Myanmar’s military government. Danish filmmaker Anders Ostergaard compiled footage smuggled out of the country by several young journalists. It was the only way such coverage could occur as the government had shut down the press, television and even the Internet. There was, as Taylor points out, no happy ending. But as the headlines continue to tell us , Myanmar’s story has yet to run its course.

“The Room” : OK, I’m not sure how this supposed modern love story got past the ML censors, but here is one reaction to this 2003 film: “(D)espite the miles of cinematic ineptitude laced throughout the picture, one can’t help but wonder if this hilariously foul affair is some sort of bizarre experiment perpetrated by a savvy group of demented sketch comics with a decidedly warped sense of humor and the uncanny ability to hide their self-awareness. Either way, ‘The Room’ is a blast from beginning to end.” Here’s another : “Given audience reaction at screening attended, pic may be something of a first: A movie that prompts most of its viewers to ask for their money back – before even 30 minutes have passed.” Oh, gotta see this one!

Check out the trailer for “The Room.” Then ask yourself: Who made those blurb raves at the end?