Wednesday Happenings

Poetry

-- James Tate's poetry is simple but strange; affecting but alien. Hear him read from his latest collection, The Ghost Soldiers, tonight at Brookline Booksmith. 279 Harvard Street, Brookline, 7pm. Free. (KS)

Music

-- Black Moth Super Rainbow is as out-there as the name sounds. The Pittsburgh group is that rare combination of experimental and enjoyable and plays with Subtle and The Republic Tigers. Middle East Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge, 8pm, 18+, $12. (KS)

-- Hitting leadoff in the lineup of unsung Boston bands, the In-Out, whose sung-shouted vocals recall the Fall's Mark E. Smith, also made the All-Star team of the skiffle revival. Plough and Stars, 912 Mass. Ave., Cambridge.

Movies

-- British director Derek Jarman didn't make a lot of movies that are easy to watch. Caravaggio (1986) is a notable exception. Telling the story of the flamboyant painter, the film explores sexuality, faith, art, and celebrity. Watch for the rampant anachronisms, Jarman's nod to Caravaggio's use of contemporary dress in his depictions of Biblical events. Screening with Isaac Julien's documentary Derek and presented by CineMental. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., 9:30pm. $10.

-- A Gathering of Coens continues in Cambridge with Miller's Crossing, a noir revival flick with enough double-crossings to make a cat's cradle. Gabriel Byrne remains dapper throughout. Screens with Barton Fink. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge. Showtimes and tickets.

Kerry Skemp contributed to this post.