She Likes to Watch

Get ready for a truly fabulous time.

“The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” a campy classic about drag queens in the Australian outback, plays tonight at The Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo.

When two drag queens and a transsexual woman accept an offer to perform at a resort in remote Alice Springs, they set off on an epic journey aboard a bus dubbed Priscilla.

Along the way, the trio dish about fashion and sex, all while battling breakdowns, sexual violence and unfriendly natives.

“Priscilla” highlights the beauty of the Australian desert, and explores the nature of sexuality and relationships.

Part of the appeal comes from the fact that these drag queens are played by rather manly men.

British tough guy Terence Stamp has played a string of crooks, thugs and nasty villains, most recently Siegfried in “Get Smart.” Guy Pearce is the star of thrillers “LA Confidential” and “Memento.” And Hugo Weaving will always be known as Agent Smith in “The Matrix.”

Add deliciously catty humor and some truly memorable costumes (including the Oscar-winning “thong dress”), and you’ve got good, flirty fun.

To up the ante, the Palm has invited a real, live drag queen to perform at each of tonight’s screenings of “Priscilla.”

The movie will be shown at 7 and 9:15 p.m. at the Palm, 817 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $7.50.

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We go from the Australian desert to American suburbia for “Can’t Buy Me Love,” a 1987 romantic comedy in the John Hughes vein.

Ronald, a nerdy high-school senior, is tired of being ignored and mistreated.

So he makes a deal with a popular, pretty cheerleader: He’ll give her $1,000 to replace a damaged suede outfit. In return, she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend for a month.

Ronald’s plan works at first: He’s finally accepted by the school’s snobby in-crowd. But, as it turns out, being “cool” is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Patrick Dempsey plays Ronnie, complete with ’80s duds and a moptop ‘do. Even at this young age, he’s a little too McDreamy to be convincing as a loveless dork — but hey, he tries.

Seth Green plays Ronnie’s irresponsible brother, Chuckie, and Amanda Peterson is the beautiful Cindy.

A movie that contains lines like “He went from totally geek, to totally chic!” may be suspect as solid entertainment, but it’s an innocent enough look at peer pressure and young love.

“Can’t Buy Me Love” will be screened tonight at 8 p.m. at the Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa, 2727 Shell Beach Road in Shell Beach.

Free lawn seating begins at 7:30 p.m.

Moviegoers also have the option of a three-course dinner served on the patio, starting at 7 p.m. That costs $49 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

Call 773-8900 for more information.

(No word yet on whether Dolphin Bay will also screen the 2003 remake “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” starring Nick Cannon and Christina Milian.)