Movie Reviews

The Story: A documentary about U.S. government use of torture and human-rights violations. The Lowdown: A thoroughly cogent, researched and relevant treatment of a hot-button topic that should be seen by everyone.

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

The Story: The new kid at school finds himself in the world of underground martial arts and must learn to fight for what he believes in. The Lowdown: Aimed squarely at undemanding teen audiences, this film is a cheesy, melodramatic look at rich kids and martial arts.

The Story: Slices of life captured by security cameras are presented in such a way as to create a series of connected stories. The Lowdown: A daunting idea that sometimes works, but runs aground through bad acting, flat dialogue and the limitations of the approach.

The Story: Horton the elephant finds himself the protector of an unseen world living on a speck of dust. The Lowdown: Dr. Seuss' classic children's book gets the big-screen treatment with mixed, but fairly enjoyable, results.

The Story: A group of soldiers are sent into quarantined Scotland in search of a possible cure for a virus that threatens the rest of Great Britain. The Lowdown: An over-the-top action thriller that's very nearly as entertaining as it is preposterous -- as long as you don't take it seriously.

The Story: A group of film students find themselves up against an outbreak of zombies. The Lowdown: George A. Romero's politically charged and humbling horror film is strong and nasty medicine. It may also be essential viewing -- at least for those who can take the gore.

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

The Hendersonville Film Society will show Too Wise Wives at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 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…

The Story: An unemployable governess finds a life-transforming position as a social secretary. The Lowdown: Style, wit and likable characters carry the day in this generally lightweight, but not brainless, comedy.

The Story: An overprotective father takes his daughter on a 700-mile road trip to visit Georgetown University, during which things go awry and supposed hilarity ensues. The Lowdown: A frequently obnoxious, totally unfunny and ultimately pointless family comedy. Exactly what one might expect from a Martin Lawrence movie.

The Story: A fact-based crime story of the 1971 robbery of the Baker Street branch of Lloyd's Bank -- and the cover-up that ensued. The Lowdown: A neat little heist film that's very nearly a lot more than that, but can't overcome the generic conventions of its middle section.

The Story: When his people are kidnapped by slave traders, a young sort of caveman and his friends mount a rescue party. The Lowdown: Simply put: The most amazing amalgam of idiocy your eyes have ever beheld.

The Story: Set in the '70s, a down-on-its-luck basketball franchise tries to turn its season around so that it can merge with the NBA. The Lowdown: A by-the-book sports movie with a couple of good performances that are dragged down by the grafted-on high jinks of Will Ferrell.

The Story: A girl born with the snout of a pig must find true love in order to lift the curse that caused the problem. The Lowdown: A genial little fairy tale that isn't exactly groundbreaking, but is elevated by style, design and above-average acting.

The Story: The Boleyn girls -- Anne and Mary -- catch the eye of Henry VIII, with historically predictable results. The Lowdown: Dry and dull, this costume picture is about as thrilling as a waxwork display.

The Story: A pair of hit men hide out in the picturesque Belgian village of Bruges while awaiting further orders from their boss. The Lowdown: Blisteringly vulgar and frankly brutal on occasion, In Bruges is both blackly funny comedy and compelling drama.

The Hendersonville Film Society will show Hester Street at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 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 Media Arts Project presents Guerilla Radio at the Fine Arts Theatre on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. Following the screening, Nybo and Umlauf will engage the audience in a discussion about the film and their work as filmmakers. Tickets will be available at the theater before the show for $5. WCU and UNCA…

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

The Hendersonville Film Society will show Dance, Girl, Dance at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 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…