Author:   Ken Hanke

The Hendersonville Film Society will show Broken Blossoms at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 6, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville. (From Asheville, take I-26 to U.S. 64 West, turn right at the third light onto Thompson Street. Follow to the Lake Point Landing entrance and park…

The Story: A young man is attacked and left for dead by a gang of thugs, leaving him in a limbo state that can only be fixed if his spirit -- which no one can see or hear -- can lead someone to his body. The Lowdown: Mismarketed as a horror picture (it isn't one),…

The Story: A freak break-dancing accident lands a kid in a coma from which he awakes at the age of 32 to a very changed world. The Lowdown: Flat, insipid, uninspired, unfunny and frankly pathetic.

The Superhero is being presented by the Twin Rivers Media Festival at 8 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St. in downtown Asheville (enter at Walnut next to Scully's or at 13 Carolina Lane).

Talking Tall will be shown for one show only on Thursday, May 3, at 9:30 p.m. at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Avenue.

The Story: A woman becomes an animal rights activist after her dog dies. The Lowdown: A depressing muddle of a movie full of unpleasant characters and phony situations.

The Story: An assistant district attorney has to prove that a seemingly perfect murder attempt isn't perfect. The Lowdown: It all comes down to stars Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling in this thriller, and they do carry the film, but it's not a stretch for either actor.

The Story: Hotshot police officer Nicholas Angel is transferred to a peaceful English village where he discovers a lot of murder most foul being passed off as a rash of accidents. The Lowdown: Hysterical, splattery fun that spoofs action movies -- and then some.

The Story: A young man nursing a broken heart goes to take care of his grandmother and becomes involved with the family across the street. The Lowdown: A predictable, sometimes awkward film, but not without its pleasures, thanks to likable characters and a good cast.

The Story: A Russian boy set to be adopted by an Italian couple sets out to find his real mother. The Lowdown: Small-scale drama with comedic touches that's enlivened by sharp characterizations and terrific performances.

The Story: A divorce-bound couple trapped in a motel room discover they're next in a long line of guests to participate in the manager's snuff film enterprise. The Lowdown: A down and dirty thrill ride that could have been worse, but is pretty undistinguished.

The Devils is part of a series of Classic Cinema From Around the World being presented at 8 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St. in downtown Asheville (enter at Walnut next to Scully's or at 13 Carolina Lane).

The Hendersonville Film Society will show The Moderns at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville. (From Asheville, take I-26 to U.S. 64 West, turn right at the third light onto Thompson Street. Follow to the Lake Point Landing entrance and park…

The Olive Harvest is being presented by the Prama Institute at the Fine Arts Theatre for two shows: Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 29, at 1 p.m. Filmmaker Hanna Elias will appear for a Q&A.

The Story: A floating container of French fries, an ambulatory milkshake and a lump of slightly hairy ground meat have to save the world from an evil exercise machine from the future. The Lowdown: Strictly for the followers of the TV show that spawned this very occasionally funny, mostly tedious exercise in randomness.

Cronos is part of a series of Classic Cinema From Around the World being presented at 8 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St. in downtown Asheville (enter at Walnut next to Scully's or at 13 Carolina Lane).

The Story: While on house arrest, a high-school kid discovers his neighbor is a serial killer. The Lowdown: A fairly effective little thriller that passes the time, but is wholly unremarkable.

The Story: The more or less true story of writer Clifford Irving's scam to sell the world -- and a major publisher -- on the idea that he was collaborating with Howard Hughes on the billionaire's authorized autobiography. The Lowdown: Witty and perceptive, blessed with great performances and slick direction.

Interkosmos will be shown by the Media Arts Project at the Fine Arts Theatre at 7 p.m. Monday, April 23.

The Story: An assistant district attorney claims to have shot a rapist in self-defense, but an ex-cop claims it was murder. The Lowdown: An incredibly convoluted and thoroughly unpersuasive crime thriller that wastes a good cast.

The Hendersonville Film Society will show They Might Be Giants at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville. (From Asheville, take I-26 to U.S. 64 West, turn right at the third light onto Thompson Street. Follow to the Lake Point Landing entrance…