New in theaters

'Cloverfield' lays waste to New York City in just 85 minutes; 'Mad Money' offers heist hijinks at a Federal Reserve Bank.

Cloverfield (PG-13)

Director: Matt Reeves. With Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller. (85 min.)

It's been a while since we've had a good monster movie, and while "Cloverfield" probably won't give you sleepless nights, it will certainly keep you awake in the theater. A giant reptilian creature chews up the Brooklyn Bridge, decapitates the Statue of Liberty, and generally makes a mess of things. Nubile 20-somethings flee in panic. One of them has a digital camera that records the carnage. The result is a cross between "The Blair Witch Project" and "Godzilla." Grade: B – Peter Rainer

Mad Money (PG-13)

Director: Callie Khouri. With Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes, Diane Keaton. (104 min.)

The best thing you can say about "Mad Money" is that it has a good cast. The worst thing you can say about it is that the cast is extremely ill-used. Diane Keaton plays the mastermind of a trio of women, who also include Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes, who rob the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City where they are employed. The money they steal was worn-out currency intended for shredding. While they were at it, they should have shredded the screenplay. Grade: D+ – P.R.