Mini reviews of new movies from a family perspective

'THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES'

• Rating: PG-13 for thematic material and some violence.

• What it's about: A white teenager and her black friend flee to a safe corner of South Carolina during the civil-rights summer of 1964, discovering things about each other and the past as they do.

• The kid attractor factor: Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah are in the cast.

• Good lessons/bad lessons: There was a time when black people couldn't vote, much less run for president.

• Violence: Racist beatings.

• Language: Racist, hate speech; a little profanity.

• Sex: A bit suggestive for a movie about a 14-year-old girl.

• Drugs: None.

• Parents' advisory: This sweet-spirited history lesson bites off a bit more than it can chew, but still passes along important lessons about racial history in America.

'SEX DRIVE'

• Rating: R for strong crude and sexual content, nudity, language, drug and alcohol use, all involving teens.

• What it's about: High-school doormat drives south to have sex with a girl he has met on the Internet, and two friends tag along for moral (or immoral) support.

• The kid attractor factor: The title, the young cast, the subject matter. Sure, they're too young. But you know they want to see it.

• Good lessons/bad lessons: Predators prowl the Internet, sex should take a back seat to love. And don't judge the Amish by their hats and buggies.

• Violence: The threat of a good old-fashioned beat-down.

• Language: Profanity aplenty.

• Sex: The title tips you off.

• Drugs: Beer and pot are used by teens.

• Parents' advisory: Don't be confused by the similarities to the sweet teen romance this borrows its plot from. "Sex Drive" is no "Sure Thing."