-- The Exorcist: Linda Blair, pea soup, 360-degree head turn, Satan, "the power of Christ compels you...," blah, blah -- whatever, it's still a great movie. And besides, it stars Ellen Burstyn, who is practically perfect in every way. Part of the Castro Theatre's William Friedkin Series, it screens tonight at 7 p.m.; $6-$9.

-- The Turn of the Screw: Henry James' complicated Gothic tale about a governess in a haunted house gets the stage treatment. "The beauty is in its sheer inventiveness," cried the Examiner! Curtain goes up at 8 p.m. at The Garage, 975 Howard Street (at Sixth Street); $9.

-- Billy Bob Thornton: Pin-thin, Academy Award-winning thespian's attempt at a triumphant (bluegrass and country) music career presents itself at 8 p.m. at Slim's, 333 - 11th Street (at Folsom); $25.

-- Tempo No Tempo, Aria C. Jalali, and Timothy Rabbit: "Pop-rock," "Lo-fi pop," and "pop-meets-indie" sounds, respectively, abound onstage tonight at 8 p.m. at the Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell; $8.