BATTLING HIPSTER SHOWS: Which music venue will the hoodied fixie-riders descend upon tonight? We think the vast majority will suffer the all-ages (no drinking) five-band-strong line-up at the Vera Project with Raggedy Annes, Strong Killings, and Japanther. The stragglers, who can't see a show without PBR or at a venue off the Hill, will be heading to Chop Suey for Does It Offend You, Yeah? and Team Robespierre. Japanther, et al. // 7:30 p.m. //......

Er, not quite. There is an actual, physical monster in Cloverfield, and unlike the no-see-em trailer, the film eventually shows it in all its gruesome glory (and no, it ain't Stay Puft). Opening Friday, J.J. Abrams' camcorder monster movie (which some describe as "Godzilla meets the Blair Witch") covers a terrible day for all of Manhattan and, in particular, for a group of New Yorkers throwing a bon voyage party for one of their......