Movie Reviews

Sucker Punch

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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The Story: A young girl fantasizes about escape from an insane asylum while she waits for her lobotomy. The Lowdown: Flashy, trashy, barely coherent mish-mash of a lot of better movies with lashings of low-grade porn, creepiness and long stretches of videogame boredom.

Cleo from 5 to 7

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Cleo from 5 to 7 at 8 p.m. Friday, March 25, at Phil Mechanic Studios (109 Roberts St., River Arts District, upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com
Starring: Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, Frank McHugh, Allen Vincent, Arthur Edmund Carewe

Mystery of the Wax Museum

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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Not a sequel, but very much a companion piece to Michael Curtiz’ Doctor X (1932), the once-lost Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) is another two-strip Technicolor exercise in German Expressionist horror with two of the same stars—Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray—and a similar reporter hero, only this time it’s a heroine (Glenda Farrell). This […]

Portrait of Jennie

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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The Asheville Film Society will screen Portrait of Jennie Tuesday, March 29, 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 Asheville Film Society.

Paul

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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The Story: Two Brit sci-fi geeks find themselves helping an alien escape from the U.S. government. The Lowdown: A genial, casually raunchy and occasionally pointedly satirical comedy about, by, and for sci-fi nerds, but one smart enough not to depend on in-jokes for its laughs. Highly recommended.

Somewhere

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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The Story: A disaffected movie star suddenly finds himself taking care of his 11-year-old daughter. The Lowdown: After a maddeningly slow start, Sofia Coppola's Somewhere becomes a strangely compelling, if not wholly satisfying work.

The Lincoln Lawyer

Reviewed by Justin Souther on
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The Story: A slick lawyer gets hired to help a rich kid beat an assault rap, but quickly learns there's more to this case than he knew. The Lowdown: An engaging, convoluted, formulaic crime drama that's a bit on the flimsy side, but remains entertaining.

Today’s Special

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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The Story: When an ambitious young chef's father has a heart attack, he finds himself forced to temporarily take over the family's shabby restaurant. The Lowdown: An old-fashioned story that more than gets by on charm and sweetness of nature. Don't let the lack of star power or its unfamiliar title keep you from catching…

Fraulein

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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The Hendersonville Film Society will show Fraulein at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 20, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community (behind Epic Cinemas), 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.

Santa Sangre

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Santa Sangre Thursday, March 17, 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.

Close Up

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Close Up at 8 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Phil Mechanic Studios (109 Roberts St., River Arts District, upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com

The Gay Divorcee

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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The Asheville Film Society will screen The Gay Divorcee Tuesday, March 22, 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 Asheville Film Society.

Cedar Rapids

Reviewed by Ken Hanke on
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The Story: Innocent insurance agent Tim Lippe gets a lesson in life at an insurance convention in Cedar Rapids. The Lowdown: By turns raunchy and charming, this unassuming little comedy is a breath of fresh air in its sweet-natured approach to its story and characters. Starts Friday at Carolina Asheville Cinema 14.