Movie Reviews

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present L'Atalante at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 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 Wuthering Heights at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 28, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community (behind Epic Cinemas), 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.

The Story: An illegal immigrant's hopes for building a future for his son are imperilled when the truck he relies on for his business is stolen. The Lowdown: A surprisingly compelling and entertaining film that is never preachy or treacly, but gains its emotional power honestly.

The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Shaun of the Dead on Thursday, August 25, 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 couple of kids must stop a supervillain from stopping time and ending the world in the bargain. The Lowdown: A rough-around-the-edges -- but worthy -- successor to the first two Spy Kids films.

The Story: Everyone’s favorite sweaty barbarian is back, as he attempts to stop an evil king from raising the dead. The Lowdown: Noisy and overlong, and -- eventually -- just kind of dull sword-and-sorcery epic.

The Story: Documentary on 1970s-'80s tabloid "star" Joyce McKinney. The Lowdown: Riotously funny, only barely believable tale of an improbable, yet strangely likable, woman who, in her own mind, "did it all for love" -- and then some.

The Story: A look at the relationship of two people over a span of 20 years. The Lowdown: A good movie that ought to have been great. Approach it with that in mind, and you may find much to admire.

The Asheville Film Society will screen Horse Feathers Tuesday, August 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. Hanke is the artistic director of the A.F.S.

The Story: A teenage boy discovers that the new neighbor is a vampire, and sets out to destroy him. The Lowdown: A fine -- but not slavishly faithful -- remake of the 1985 film. A good horror movie in its own right, with a clever mix of scares and laughs.

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Come and See at 8 p.m. Friday, August 19, at Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St., River Arts District (upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com

The Story: Two 30-somethings try to find fulfillment in the 30 days they have before they accept the responsibility of caring for a cat. The Lowdown: Nicely crafted with some pleasing quirks and flights of fantasy, but with two unlikable characters at its center which keeps the film itself from being likable.

The Story: Documentary about the Earth Libertation Front and the trial of ELF member Daniel McGowan. The Lowdown: Straightforward documentary that becomes worthwhile by raising thoughtful questions about terrorism and the use of the term.

The Story: Parallel stories -- using the same actresses -- about two lifelong friends in 19th-century China and modern-day Shanghai. The Lowdown: A sumptuously photographed film that works more than it doesn't in interweaving its two stories. Much better than the bulk of reviews have it.

The Story: A young college graduate writes a book -- with the help of the black maids -- that exposes the hypocrisy and racism in 1963 Jackson, Miss. The Lowdown: Solidly entertaining crowd-pleaser with terrific performances overcoming an overstuffed narrative and a too-careful approach to the subject matter.

The Story: A 3D concert film from the live tour of the TV show Glee, mixing performance footage, behind-the-scenes footage and fan testimonials. The Lowdown: Bland covers of pop music cripple a film that has its heart in the right place.

The Story: A slacker pizza deliveryman has a bomb strapped to him by a couple of ne’er-do-wells, who tell him he has nine hours to rob a bank for them before the bomb ignites. The Lowdown: An uneven, occasionally amusing comedy that rises and falls depending on how you feel about the cast.

The Story: Eight folks who were meant to die when a bridge collapsed find that death is out to settle their hash. The Lowdown: It's another Final Destination movie. What more do you need to know?

The Hendersonville Film Society will show Doctor Faustus at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 21, in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community (behind Epic Cinemas), 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.

The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen The People Under the Stairs on Thursday, August 18, 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 International House Tuesday, August 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. Hanke is the artistic director of the A.F.S.