WEEKEND AT AFI FESTIVAL : SATURDAY

Following are The Times’ recommendations for today’s and Sunday’s schedule of the American Film Institute Los Angeles International Film Festival, with commentary by the film reviewing staff. Information: (213) 480-3232 or (213) 520-2000.

Recommended:

“A BETTER TOMORROW: THE TRILOGY “(Hong Kong, 1986; Directors: John Woo, Tsui Hark; Cineplex Odeon Century Plaza, 4:30, 9 and 11:15 p.m.). A slam-bang contemporary Hong Kong action trilogy--about brothers on opposite sides of the law, and a swaggering buddy (flirtatious Chow Yunn-fatt), warring with various bands of vile gangsters. Coincidences and mass carnage abound. Part I pops with energy, light satire and full-blown emotionalism. The unrecommended Part II is thin, brutal, conventionally shot. The unscreened Part III--with producer Tsui Hark (“Peking Opera Blues” taking over direction--might be the best of the bunch. (Michael Wilmington)