Nazarín, part of a series of Classic Cinema From Around the World, will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, at Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St. in downtown Asheville. Info: 273-3332.

The Story: Wrongfully imprisoned barber Benjamin Barker returns to London as Sweeney Todd to have his revenge on those responsible for his plight. The Lowdown: A magnificent -- and magnificently over the top -- horror musical from Tim Burton that hits every aspect of both genres just right.

The Story: A young girl is the key to fulfilling a prophecy that threatens the foundations of the ruling faction of her world. The Lowdown: Creative, entertaining and sometimes disturbing (in a good way), this is a fantasy film with more going for it than just elaborate effects.

The Holy Mountain, part of a series of Classic Cinema From Around the World, will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St. in downtown Asheville. Info: 273-3332.

The Story: Six actors portray different aspects of Bob Dylan. The Lowdown: Todd Haynes' wildly experimental approach to the biographical film works most of the time with explosive creativity.

The Story: A wealthy man convinces his wife's lover to stage a burglary for their mutual benefit. The Lowdown: High-powered performances from Michael Caine and Jude Law, brisk direction from Kenneth Branagh and a viciously barbed script from Harold Pinter make this new version of the Anthony Shaffer play a remarkable experience.

The Story: A young billionaire finds himself awake on the operating table and learns his team of surgeons is planning to kill him. The Lowdown: Unintended humor is the only possible excuse for this utterly absurd thriller.

The Asheville Arts Museum will show Drawing the Line: A Portrait of Keith Haring at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9.

El Topo, part of a series of Classic Cinema From Around the World, will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St. in downtown Asheville. Info: 273-3332.

The Story: An orphan boy tries to find his parents through the connective power of music. The Lowdown: A likable fairy tale that can't get its musical -- or dramatic -- act together to really work.

The Story: A group of people are trapped in a grocery store when a mysterious mist filled with unknown terrors blankets their town. The Lowdown: A reasonably effective horror thriller that would like to be more, yet rarely is.

The Story: Complications -- comedic and dramatic -- ensue when the Whitfield family gathers for a Christmas reunion. The Lowdown: A generally entertaining, well-made Christmas offering enlivened by likable characterizations and brisk direction.

Ishiro Honda's Gojira (Godzilla) is part of a series of Classic Cinema From Around the World. The film was scheduled to be screened Friday, Nov. 23, but was cancelled. It has been rescheduled to show Friday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m. at Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St. in downtown Asheville. Info: 273-3332.

The Story: A young lawyer seemingly disinherited by his father comes into a strange legacy by way of a secret society. The Lowdown: A slickly produced, low-budget, faith-based thriller that's light on the thrills and heavy on the faith.

The Story: Disney-ish heroine Giselle is banished to New York City by evil Queen Narissa, where she's pursued by heroic Prince Edward and a doltish henchman. The Lowdown: An altogether charming family film that's propelled to greater heights by the star-making performance of Amy Adams.

The Story: A sheriff pursues a man who has walked away with $2 million in drug money -- hoping to get to him before a psychotic hit man does. The Lowdown: A brutal, chilling and disturbing thriller with brilliantly drawn characters and a balancing undercurrent of humanity. Remarkable.

The Story: A young man waits his entire life to finally win the woman he loves. The Lowdown: Glossy, nicely-mounted romantic drama that strives to be something "more," but never achieves the importance it desires.

The Story: Two brothers plan and execute a jewelry-store robbery that goes tragically wrong. The Lowdown: Lean and mean, Sidney Lumet's Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a blistering crime drama that attempts to be "something more" -- and largely succeeds.

The Story: The legendary epic poem (that literature teachers have tortured students with for years) about the heroic Beowulf fighting the monster Grendel comes to the big screen. The Lowdown: Technically impressive (at least in 3-D), but dramatically rather dull for anyone who isn't a diehard fan of ancient fantasy.

The Story: The 243-year-old owner of a magical toy store makes plans to turn the business over to his protégé in light of his impending death. The Lowdown: A thoroughly charming film that makes terrific use of its stars, but stumbles in its final scenes.