Not everyone is as interested in nature, or in hobnobbing, as we are—but what can the hoi polloi do on a sticky Friday night in the city as we finish our jitney ride? Given the moribund state of summer movies—and the nightmarish state of cola-swilling, constantly texting moviegoers—we recommend checking out Lincoln Center for the weekend. Don’t worry, though, if you’re not in the mood for an Iranian docudrama after a sweaty week; the action-movie itch will be scratched, as the arts mecca is hosting a Ridley Scott retrospective. Friday-night moviegoers are lucky to miss out on who-knew-he-directed-that-disaster pieces like G.I. Jane or Russell Crowe’s oenophile-bear turn in A Good Year. Tonight, it’s the visionary Alien. The chilly expanse of space looks pretty appealing right now, no?

Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th Street, 9pm; tickets and complete schedule can be found at filmlinc.com.

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