On the Marx by MATTHEW HAYS Concocting their own manic, surreal brand of humour, The Marx Brothers changed the evolution of film comedy when they moved from Vaudeville and Broadway into the movies. And Montrealers can now be treated to a mini-festival of their greatest works this weekend at the Cinéma du Parc. Included is A Day at the Races, the '37 film in which the brothers Marx visit and victimize the residents of a sanitarium; Animal Crackers, in which Groucho shoots an elephant in pajamas; and the two films that are considered the very best Marx movies, Duck Soup and A Night at the Opera. Plots, songs and direction weren't always that well thought-out in Marx Brothers movies. But it never seemed to matter too much, because the films were so undeniably zany and the fraternal team was so outrageously screwy that none of that other stuff mattered. What was also impressive was the demographic that the crew reached out to--the Marx Brothers managed to be both high- and low-brow at once. The films start screening this Friday, July 14. See repertory listings for showtimes. Those of you who've already caught Train of Life will understand why the film has been compared so far and wide to Life is Beautiful. Director Radu Mihaileanu uses comedy, as did Roberto Benigni, to make various points about the Holocaust. In this film, Jews attempting to escape Nazi persecution pose as Nazis themselves, trying to navigate their way out of danger on a train. There are certainly some funny moments, but as with Life is Beautiful, the film leans a bit too much towards heavy-handed sentimentalism. The best bits of the film come when the posing as Nazis begins to have an effect on the Jews themselves, as those playing officers become more and more authoritarian. Train of Life ran for a time in Montreal with French subtitles, but begins its first English-subtitled run this Friday, July 14 at Cinéma du Parc. See repertory listings for showtimes. The summer party held by Vues d'Afrique continues this weekend and the festivities include movies. The outdoor venue Théatre de Verdure in Parc Lafontaine will play host to a series of screenings, including Barbecue-Pejo (Thursday, July 13), Femmes... et femmes (Friday, July 14), Tableau ferraille (Saturday, July 15) and Abdelkrim Balhoul's accomplished feature La nuit du destin (Sunday, July 16). All film screenings are in their original French versions and begin at 9 p.m. Though I do write about recommended video rentals in the Vidiot's Box column, I confess I have favoured certain video stores, simply due to geography. I shouldn't overlook Phos, an excellent video shop with an amazing selection, one which I don't visit much simply because it's in NDG (5147 Cote-des-Neiges). Rare films, thought to be out of circulation, can be found here. And even if getting to NDG bums you out, there are video depots at various locations around town where you can drop them off the next day. : COMMENTS: matt_hays@babylon.montreal.qc.ca