What better way to celebrate your Independence Day weekend than by watching a movie about a post-apocalyptic society full of savages, scavengers -- and Mel Gibson.

That's what the Colony is serving up for its monthly midnight movie this weekend. On Saturday night, the theater will screen "The Road Warrior," the second chapter (my favorite, if I may add) in the "Mad Max" trilogy. Admission is $5 and showtime is 11:59. Details: 847-5677; www.myspace.com/colonytheatre.

For those looking to spend their Fourth watching a movie outside at the N.C. Museum of Art, I've got some bad news for ya: there won't be any screenings there this weekend. However, if you must see a movie in the open air, I suggest heading over to Moore Square in downtown Raleigh this Saturday. That's where an outdoor screening of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" will be popping off. The movie is scheduled to unspool "at dusk" (So I'm guessing 9-ish?) and it's free. Details: www.therialto.com.

And finally, for all the vegans in the Triangle, Local 506 in Chapel Hill will screen "Seeing Through the Fence" on Monday night. This documentary is out to show that eating animal flesh is cruel, inhumane and, well, just plain wrong. (Of course, if you cook it right, with some seasoning salt and a little bit of hot sauce on it, that's a whole different matter.) Anyway, it's free and it starts at 7. Details: 942-5506; www.local506.com.