Movie Reviews

The Story: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson square off against the "Napoleon of Crime," Professor Moriarty. The Lowdown: An even stronger-than-hoped-for follow-up to the 2009 Sherlock Holmes. Fast, funny, entertaining and more in tune with the stories and legacy of Holmes than may appear on the surface.

The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen The Devil-Doll on Thursday, Dec. 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.

The Asheville Film Society will screen Million Dollar Legs and Tillie and Gus on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 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 writer of teen fiction goes to her hometown to rekindle her high-school romance -- regardless of the fact that the object of her affection is married and has just had a child. The Lowdown: A hardcore comedy-drama about a woman sliding more and more out of control and into self-delusion and alcohol.…

The Story: A romantic ensemble piece centering around the denizens of New York City on New Year’s Eve. The Lowdown: A laborious exercise in middle-of-the-road romantic comedy.

The Story: A lazy babysitter and the kids he’s watching get entangled in a series of misadventures when a crazed drug dealer decides he wants them dead. The Lowdown: An agreeable cast and a plot that’s more amusing than outright funny makes for a harmless homage to '80s teen flicks.

The Asheville Film Society will screen Babes in Toyland Tuesday, Dec. 20, 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.

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Short Films by Maya Deren and Arthur Lipsett at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 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 The Funhouse Thursday, Dec. 15, 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 man's life starts to fall apart when he begins having troubling visions that are either actual warnings or the onset of mental illness. The Lowdown: A disturbing -- and rather depressing -- film that works more than it doesn't, and which can be read in several different ways.

The Asheville Film Society will screen Breakfast on Pluto on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 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.

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Closely Watched Trains at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, 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 Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man on Thursday, Dec. 8, 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 Hawaiian real-estate lawyer faces his wife's impending death, two daughters he doesn't understand and a large circle of dissolute relatives bent on selling the family land. The Lowdown: A relatably human comedy-drama that is both surprisingly funny and moving, cemented by a terrific performance from George Clooney.

The Story: Eccentric director Werner Herzog documents a prisoner on death row, and the terrible crime he and a friend once committed. The Lowdown: An emotionally draining look at not only the death penalty, but at the people -- criminals, victims, police officers -- who get entangled in death and violence.

The Story: The supposed "dirt" on who "really" wrote Shakespeare's play -- with numerous liberties. The Lowdown: Utterly absurd revisionist nonsense that is very nearly as entertaining as it is ridiculous -- and that's saying something.

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present My Night at Maud's at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, at Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St., River Arts District (upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com

The Story: Kermit the Frog and gang must reunite to save their old theater. The Lowdown: A sufficiently warm-hearted nostalgia trip that will play best to diehard Muppets fans.

The Story: The story of 12-year-old Hugo Cabret, who lives inside the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris -- his adventures, his efforts to rebuild an automaton and the discoveries all this leads to. The Lowdown: An almost impossibly great movie that is by turns funny, touching and profound. This goes beyond being…

The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Island of Lost Souls on Thursday, Dec. 1, 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 The Wrong Box on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 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.