Australia 2 Stars—Overlong and self-indulgent, Baz Luhrmann’s homage to epic adventure films feels like a slog through the outback itself. And yet it can be a visually wondrous journey, one with striking visuals that will take your breath away again and again. Set in pre-World War II, “Australia” stars Nicole Kidman as the British aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley, who travels to the Northern Territory ranch of Faraway Downs to confront the absent husband she suspects of philandering. She immediately clashes with the roguishly charming Drover (Hugh Jackman), who works on the ranch. Once Lady Ashley discovers her husband is dead, it’s no big shocker that she finds herself falling in love with the place, and with the Drover. It also comes as no surprise that, after expressing zero fondness for children, she experiences maternal instincts for the impish Aboriginal boy Nullah (Brandon Walters), who’s adorable but also an unfortunate racial stereotype. PG-13 for some violence, a scene of sensuality and brief strong language. 155 min.—Christy Lemire



Four Christmases 1 1/2 Stars—The size difference between Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon isn’t the only thing keeping them apart. His signature rat-a-tat overconfidence and her pleasing girl-next-door perkiness turn out to be an awkward mix. Vaughn’s Brad and Witherspoon’s Kate are a happily unmarried couple. They keep things lively by role-playing at bars, as they do in the film’s amusingly naughty opening, and they lie to their families about doing charity work to avoid seeing them during the holidays. Then, when they’re caught on the news getting stuck at the airport on the way to Fiji, they get roped into seeing both sets of parents—who are divorced—hence, they must celebrate four family Christmases. PG-13 for some sexual humor and language. 88 min.—Christy Lemire



Bolt 2 1/2 Stars—Harmless as a puppy, “Bolt” comes bounding into theaters, stumbling over its big, goofy paws, wagging its fluffy tail and begging to play ball. It’s sweet and eager to please but, sadly, nothing terribly special: Girl finds dog, girl loses dog, girl gets dog back. This animated 3-D adventure follows a scrappy, white shelter mutt named Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) who isn’t a superhero, but he plays one on TV. Trouble is, he has no idea he’s an actor in a role. He thinks he’s really saving plucky, young Penny (Miley Cyrus)—his “person,” as he’s so proud to call her—from bad guys and explosions over and over again. When Bolt accidentally gets shipped across the country from Hollywood to New York City, in totally contrived fashion, he must make that tried-and-true, intrepid trek back home. Along the way he befriends the street-wise, wisecracking alley cat, Mittens, and the overeager, overfed hamster Rhino, who’s obsessed with television and is totally psyched about the prospect of being Bolt’s crime-fighting sidekick. PG for mild action and peril. 96 min.—Christy Lemire



Twilight 1 1/2 Stars—Teenage girls will surely squeal with delight throughout this feverishly awaited adaptation of the hugely selling vampire novel. Just the very sight of the word “Twilight” on screen inspired piercing screeches of glee at a recent screening. And the arrival of our tormented monster-hero Edward Cullen is certain to send another wave of shivers. But much of what made the relationship between Edward and the smitten Bella Swan work in Stephenie Meyer’s breezy book is stripped away on screen. Bella’s story, for the uninitiated: The quiet, awkward girl moves from Phoenix to rainy Forks, Wash., to live with her police-chief dad and quickly finds herself entranced by her mysterious, ethereal classmate Edward. At first, Edward fights his all-consuming attraction to Bella but eventually finds he can’t stay away. Good thing, too, because she’ll need him to protect her from even greater dangers than the one he potentially presents—and that’s where “Twilight” really collapses in a heap of cheesy visual effects. PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality. 121 min.—Christy Lemire





RATINGS: 4 stars: Excellent; 3 stars: Good; 2 stars: Fair; 1 star: Poor