Australia
Screenings
Not reviewed at press time. Luhrmann trades in the dance, dazzle, and Tinseltown glitz of his earlier films for the epic scope of this romantic action-adventure story set in rural pre-World War II Australia. Teaming with fellow Aussies Kidman and Jackman, Luhrmann seems to be going for Out of Australia by way of The African Queen. Opens Wednesday.


The Secret Life of Bees
Screenings
The Secret Life of Bees starts off promisingly but quickly segues into a sincere and well-meaning coming-of-age story. Adapted for the screen from Sue Monk Kidd's bestselling novel by director Prince-Bythewood, the film tells the story of a girl's maturation, due largely to her escape from the home of her father (Bettany) into the matriarchal embrace of the unusual Boatwright sisters. Set in 1964 against the background of the newly signed Civil Rights Act, the film uses this agitated climate to advance the storyline in a couple of instances but generally exists in a bubble that's devoid of racial bigotry and economic issues. Many are the metaphors comparing the lives and beehives of humans and insects, and the figurative honey often drips off the screen, but the opportunity to bask in the presence of this soulful matriarchy is its own reward. What might have been a mere showplace for songstresses-turned-actresses is much richer than might be expected.


Heroes
Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek
13729 Research
219-5408
Mon, Nov 24, 8:00 PM
Alamo Drafthouse Village
2700 W. Anderson
512/459-7090
Mon, Nov 24, 9:30 PM



Clue
Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz
320 E. Sixth
512/476-1320
Tue, Nov 25, 9:45 PM
It's the board game come to life. Rebecca Havemeyer hosts.


Fireproof
Screenings
The writing and directing Kendrick brothers, Alex and Stephen (who also made Facing the Giants), have raised blandness and narrative predictability to the level of high art. Their hero is Caleb Holt (Cameron), a firefighter who has lost the love connection with his wife, Catherine (Bethea). When Caleb turns to his family for help, father (Malcom), a newly born-again Christian, convinces son to try the Love Dare, a 40-day experiment in altered behavior designed to retighten the bonds of marriage through selfless devotion, faith in God, washed dishes, and a deep appreciation of Bible quotes that are short enough to fit on a refrigerator magnet. Fireproof, in other words, is American Evangelical Christian storytelling at its finest, storytelling for a world entirely devoid of gray areas or ethical hierarchies, a world where hatred is tantamount to murder and lust is equivalent to adultery and all of the above equal damnable sin.