Jupiter, a collection of sculptures by artist Robert Taplin, is on exhibit. (Through Dec. 6, Hampden Gallery, UMass.)

SELECT FLICKS

Cinemark at Hampshire Mall

(587-4233)

"Monsters, Inc.," the latest cutesy cartoon from Pixar, is a surefire bet to please fans of all ages. Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Jennifer Tilly and more lend their voices to the colorful characters in the film.

In "Domestic Disturbance," a child's life hangs in the balance between good father John Travolta and evil stepfather Vince Vaughn.

Kevin Kline stars as a father battling an unfortunate midlife funk and the growing distance between himself and his family in the touching "Life as a House."

"Riding in Cars With Boys" fails to capture the charm of Beverly Donofrio's memoir, on which it is based. Drew Barrymore brings unfocused energy to the lead role as a promising student whose life is derailed by a pregnancy.

"Serendipity" tries for romance a la "When Harry Met Sally ..." but is undermined by script cliches and lackluster performances by leads John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.

"Shallow Hal" is reviewed in this issue.

"Heist" is a spooky step into film-noir from the ubiquitous David Mamet. Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito join forces to attempt to pull off the 'perfect' bank robbery. You know what they say about the best laid plans ...

"Highlander" and "The Terminator" are just two of the many films ripped off by Jet Li's sci-fi adventure, "The One." The story, involving a good Jet and an evil Jet, who battle across multiple universes, actually makes a surprising amount of sense-the problem is that audiences come to Jet Li movies for his martial arts wizardry, which in this case is obscured, not enhanced, by sub-Matrix special effects.

"13 Ghosts" updates the '60s horror classic with state-of-the-art digital effects. F. Murray Abraham and Shannon Elizabeth star.

Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke play good cop/bad cop in Antoine Fuqua's electrifying new drama "Training Day." L.A. has never looked tougher and the two leads have never been better, particularly Washington.

Pleasant Street Theater

(586-0925)

Surrealist director David Lynch (of "Twin Peaks" fame) is up to his old tricks again with "Mulholland Drive," a fast-paced mystery/thriller sure to keep you guessing until the very end-and, very possibly, beyond. As can be expected from Lynch, the film explores the grungy underbelly of the faraway planet better known to laymen as Los Angeles, Calif.

In the Swedish '70s drama "Together," a long-suffering mother of two leaves her abusive husband and moves into her brother's commune, where she must make various difficult choices about her husband and family while developing new attitudes towards sex, politics and her role as a woman.

STAGE

The Smith College Dance Department will present The 2001 Faculty Dance Concert, featuring "Barbara Allen," a new ballet by Rodger Blum. (Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m., Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College.)

TALKS

Peter Neufeld, Co-founder and Director of the Innocence Project at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, will speak on "Actual Innocence: the Emerging Civil Rights Movement to Reform Criminal Fairness." (Wed., 4:30 p.m., Cole Assembly Room, Converse Hall.)

The Fine Arts Department brings in artist Marek Walczak, whose work can be described as a complex blend of architecture, sculpture and new media, to give a lecture titled "interface gossip create." (Thurs., 4:30 p.m., Stirn Auditorium.)

Professor Theodore Vessey of St. Olaf College will discuss "The Problem of the Gambler's Ruin." (Thurs., 4 p.m., 207 Seeley Mudd Building.)

TUNES

The Smith College Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will put on a performance of the works of Bach, Tchaikovsky and Offenbach. (Sat., 8 p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall, Smith College.)

Vocalists Sudie Marcuse-Blatz and James Ruff present solo and duo cantatas by Clérambault and Blamont. (Sun., 8 p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall, Smith College.)

The Mount Holyoke College Chamber Jazz Ensemble will perform "Going Places!" a whirling musical journey featuring various pieces by King Oliver, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sonny Rollins, John Lennon and Paul McCarthy, and a multitude of others. (Fri., 7:30 p.m., McColloch Auditorium, Mount Holyoke College.)

Joseph Kaiser of the New York City Opera will perform a recital that includes various selections from Beethoven, Duparc, Santoliquido and Schumann. (Tues., 6:30 p.m., Bezanson Recital Hall, UMass.)

MISCELLANEOUS

Professor of English and accomplished Puerto Rican writer Martín Espada of UMass will give a reading of several of his poetry and essays. (Wed., 8 p.m., Cole Assembly Room, Converse Hall.)

Eileen Claveloux, a local digital media artist and video producer, will screen her thirty-minute documentary "The Naming," which reveals her family's experiences of the Armenian genocide in Turkey. (Fri., 7 p.m., Amherst Community Television, 246 College St.)

Renowned Cuban novelist Achy Obejas will read from and sign her new novel, "Days of Awe," a work which explores the meaning of being both Cuban and American. (Sat., 2 p.m., Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley.)