Movie Reviews

The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen The Fearless Vampire Killers Thursday, April 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 group of monks in a small town in Algeria must decide whether or not to leave in the face of terrorist attacks that increasingly threaten them. The Lowdown: What might have been a preachy tract of a movie emerges instead as a thoughtful, compelling, human drama of considerable power.

The Story: Young Jane Eyre is hired as a tutor at a grim English manor owned by a gloomy, mysterious man with a dark secret. The Lowdown: Solid, atmospheric film version of the book, blessed by strong visuals and performances, though somewhat let down by one weak aspect -- and possibly by the familiarity of…

The Story: A circus worker during the Great Depression gets entangled with the show’s star attraction -- who just happens to be the boss’ wife. The Lowdown: A slick-looking romantic drama that lacks the right amount of whimsy or electricity to really work.

The Story: A tale of lions and cheetahs living -- and surviving -- in Africa. The Lowdown: A basic nature documentary gussied up with dull narration from Samuel L. Jackson.

The Story: A previously unseen Madea family member is dying of cancer and has to rely on Madea to get her dysfunctional family together to break the news. The Lowdown: Standard Tyler Perry mix of shrill comedy and soap opera, somewhat brightened by a strong performance from Loretta Devine.

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present The Vanishing at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 22, at Phil Mechanic Studios (109 Roberts St., River Arts District, upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com

The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Dead Alive Thursday, April 21, 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.

Film historian Peter Loewer and Pack Library will screen Unfaithfully Yours at 6 p.m on Tuesday, April 26, in the newly renovated Lord Auditorium.

The Asheville Film Society will screen Chinatown Tuesday, April 26, 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 AFS.

The Story: An up-against-it lawyer takes on the guardianship on an elderly client in order to pocket the monthly $1,500 fee. The Lowdown: Warm, funny, winning quirky film about families -- and extended families -- that overcomes a certain predictable quality by hitting all the right notes.

The Story: A British writer and a French woman are mistaken for husband and wife and decide to play along, but are they perhaps actually married after all? The Lowdown: This charming film can best be described as a romantic comedy, but it's far removed from what that traditionally implies. See for yourself.

The Story: An everyday schlub decides to become a superhero when his wife leaves him for a drug dealer. The Lowdown: Yeah, it's occasionally clunky, but it's also a very funny and disturbing film that will stay with you long after slicker superhero movies have evaporated.

The Story: Scream survivor Sidney Prescott comes home and -- surprise -- the killings start up again. The Lowdown: Entertaining, gory, and clever return to the series that strains to be more than it manages, but worthwhile for horror fans.

The Story: A domesticated parrot who never learned how to fly finds himself on the run from poachers in his native Brazil. The Lowdown: A colorful, sometimes visually impressive animated film that’s too jokey and reliant on slapstick, and just plain generic in its plotting.

The Story: In the near future, the world is in near ruins and its great thinkers and doers are disappearing, threatening to throw this over-regulated world into the abyss. The Lowdown: Cheap-jack film version of Ayn Rand's entertainingly overheated fantasy novel -- or at least part of it, since this is merely part one. If…

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Au Hasard Balthazar at 8 p.m. Friday, April 15, 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 Elvira Madigan at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community (behind Epic Cinemas, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville).

The Story: Historical story of the trial of Mary Surratt, a woman accused of complicity in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The Lowdown: Strong, well-made historical drama from Robert Redford that scores big in its well-crafted and superbly acted characterizations.

The Story: A young surfer has to deal with her arm being chewed off by a shark. The Lowdown: A shoddy, predictable entrant into the faith-based, uplifting-sports flick genre.