Movie monsters and more on local screens

Northwest Film Forum this week presents a "Festival of New Cinema from Spain," an assortment of eight feature-length films and one collection of shorts from both new and established Spanish filmmakers. Filmmaker Félix Viscarret will be present for tonight's 8 p.m. screening of his 2007 film "Under the Stars," about a trumpet player reconnecting with his family after his father's death. Passes for the full series are $40 ($30 NWFF members) and available through www.nwfilmforum.org or by calling 800-838-3006. Go to the Web site for a full schedule and more information on the festival. NWFF, 1515 12th Ave., Seattle. See John Hartl's related story on p. .

SIFF Cinema launches a two-week series from the indie-film distributor Zeitgeist, titled "The Films of Our Times." It begins tonight with Jacques Demy's tuneful 1964 romance "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," featuring the exquisite young Catherine Deneuve. The series continues with Guy Maddin's "Careful," the German monastery documentary "Into Great Silence," Olivier Assayas' movie-industry satire "Irma Vep," the Noam Chomsky documentary "Manufacturing Consent," the Turkish drama "Climates," and French filmmaker François Ozon's 1997 drama "See the Sea." A two-week series pass is $95 ($75 SIFF supporters) and available through www.siff.net. SIFF Cinema, 321 Mercer St. at McCaw Hall, Seattle; 206-633-7151.

The Grand Illusion concludes its "Son of All Monsters Attack!" monster-movie series this week with two movies inspired by H.P. Lovecraft stories, both directed by Stuart Gordon. "Re-Animator," a 1985 tale of a brain-death researcher, screens through Thursday with the 1986 "From Beyond," about a scientist's search for a sixth sense. Grand Illusion, 1403 N.E. 50th St., Seattle; 206-523-3935 or www.grandillusioncinema.org.

Metro Classics begins a three-week salute to the Minnelli-Garland film family with "The Band Wagon," Vincente Minnelli's sparkling 1953 backstage musical starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. It screens Wednesday only at 7 and 9 p.m., in 35 mm. Metro, 4500 Ninth Ave., Seattle; 206-781-5755 or www.landmarktheatres.com.

And finally, this week's midnight movie at the Egyptian is "Ghostbusters," featuring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and that enormous marshmallow man. Tonight and Saturday at 805 E. Pine St., Seattle; 206-781-5755 or www.landmarktheatres.com.

Moira Macdonald: 206-464-2725

or mmacdonald@seattletimes.com