Movie Reviews

The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Not of This Earth and Attack of the Crab Monsters on Thursday, July 7, at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.

The Asheville Film Society will screen If I Had a Million Tuesday, July 12, at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther. Hanke is the artistic director of the A.F.S.

The Story: A middle-aged man fired from his job decides to go to community college and change his life. The Lowdown: Simple -- sometimes simplistic -- unassuming romantic comedy that's a lot better than it's being given credit for.

The Story: The Autobots and the Decepticons battle once again and the fate of the world -- and Shia LaBeouf -- hangs in the balance. The Lowdown: Childish, annoying, noisy and at least an hour too long.

The Story: In Norway, a group of film students stumble upon a secret government agency tasked with the elimination of out-of-control trolls. The Lowdown: Easily the best film ever made in the found-footage genre, it also comes with all the pitfalls and flaws -- bad camerawork, shaky characterization -- that come along with that distinction.

The Story: While on vacation in Paris, a young woman from Texas is mistaken for an heiress and decides to impersonate her. The Lowdown: Often bloated and predictable, it's also more charming and infinitely better than it has any right to be.

The Story: Documentary on "new school" horse trainer Buck Brannaman. The Lowdown: A surprisingly involving and even moving film that doesn't require any particular interest in horses to work with the viewer.

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Antonio Gaudi at 8 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Phil Mechanic Studios, (109 Roberts St., River Arts District, upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com

The Hendersonville Film Society will show The Intruder at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 3, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community (behind Epic Cinemas), 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.

The Asheville Film Society will screen Mahler Tuesday, July 5, at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther. Hanke is the artistic director of the A.F.S.

The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Silent Hill Thursday, June 30, at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.

The Story: Sprawling drama that runs the gamut from creation to a look at a single family. The Lowdown: A fascinating film that works part of the time, doesn't work part of the time, and is at least interesting all of the time. Beware of a non-traditional narrative structure, a deliberate pace and no payoff…

The Plot: Mater the tow truck gets entangled in web of espionage, while race car Lightning McQueen attempts to best his rival in a high-stakes race. The Lowdown: Did you read the sentence before this? Easily the dumbest, noisiest Pixar film to date.

The Story: A golddigging and very uncommitted teacher tries to raise the money for a breast job in order to snare rich fellow teacher. The Lowdown: Predictable and more mildly naughty than truly outrageous. Folks who giggle over swear words will get the most out of it.

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present The Red Shoes at 8 p.m. Friday, June 24, at Phil Mechanic Studios, (109 Roberts Street in the River Arts District, upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com

The Hendersonville Film Society will show The Boy Friend at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 26, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community (behind Epic Cinemas), 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.

The Asheville Film Society will screen The Last Command Tuesday, June 28, at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.

The Story: A look at the lives and collections of Yves Saint-Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge, as seen from Berge's perspective. The Lowdown: An entertaining, detached, but always good-looking documentary about a curious couple.

The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Videodrome Thursday, June 23, at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.

The Story: A hotshot test pilot is gifted a super-powered ring by an alien, which in turn makes him a superhero. The Lowdown: A dreadfully dull version of your standard comic-book-origin film.

The Story: A man's life is turned upside down when he inherits a penguin. The Lowdown: Having very little to do with its source book, this is a standard-issue story about a workaholic dad who "learns what really matters" thanks to penguins. That's about it.