NEW MOVIES

"Fly Me to the Moon" (G). This summer we've already had "Space Chimps" blasting into orbit, and now here's an animated 3-D movie about three juvenile, Florida-dwelling flies that sneak aboard the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Small kids will like the ride. Grade: B- Opens Friday, Aug. 15 at area theaters.

"Henry Poole Is Here" (PG). Not reviewed. Luke Wilson abandons his fiancee and family business and takes up a new identity in a rundown suburban tract home. Mark Pellington directs the Sundance Festival entry, which co-stars Radha Mitchell and Adriana Barraza. Opens Aug. 15 at area theaters.

"The Last Mistress" (NR). Not reviewed. Controversial indie filmmaker Catherine Breillat directs Asia Argento in a steamy tale about a scandal that even shocked 19th-century France. Opens Aug. 15 at area theaters.

"Mirrors" (R). Not reviewed. This horror entry from the director of "High Tension" involves an ex-cop whose family is targeted by mirror-hopping demons. Opens Aug. 15 at area theaters.

"Tropic Thunder" (R). This boisterous movie industry satire about a jungle shoot that goes way out of control definitely gets your attention. However, it becomes desperately zany and even mildly grating. With Ben Stiller (who also directed and co-scripted), Robert Downey Jr., Brandon T. Jackson, Jack Black, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey and Tom Cruise. Grade: B Opens Wednesday, Aug. 13

NOW PLAYING

"Brideshead Revisited" (PG-13). Classy adaptation of the Evelyn Waugh novel about a middle-class college student who becomes close to a dysfunctional aristocratic family in the 1920s and 1930s. The locations in England and Venice provide photogenic backdrops for Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, Hayley Atwell, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon and Greta Scacchi. Grade: B Charles Theatre

"Chris Don: A Love Story" (NR). This heartfelt documentary focuses on the relationship between the late writer Christopher Isherwood and the still-active artist Don Bachardy. Their friends included many prominent cultural figures. Grade: B Charles Theatre

"The Dark Knight" (PG-13). Dark, violent and seemingly endless, this latest "Batman" movie takes awhile to build any narrative momentum. Also, the late Heath Ledger as the volatile Joker basically steals the movie from its star, Christian Bale as a brooding Bruce Wayne/Batman. With Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Morgan Freeman. Grade: B- Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"The Edge of Heaven" (NR). Turkish immigrants in Germany face challenges in making a new life for themselves, and this expertly plotted drama shows how the two cultures try to understand each other -- with a cast that includes iconic German actress Hanna Schygulla. Grade: B Charles Theatre

"Hancock" (PG-13). The humorous premise is that Will Smith is a superhero who is a skid row alcoholic in his personal life. Many sociological jokes hit their target early in the movie, but the story starts to lose touch with behavioral reality owing to an extreme plot twist and a barrage of conventional special effects. With Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman. Grade: B- Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Hellboy 2: The Golden Army" (PG-13). Director Guillermo del Toro sure knows how to think up bizarre creatures, but there are so many here that they ultimately divert our attention from what should be a sequel about Ron Perlman's exploits in the title role. Various murky subplots and drastic changes in tone don't help, either. Grade: B- Muvico Egyptian 24

"Hell Ride" (R). All attitude and no substance, this pretentious biker movie wears its influences on its black-leather-jacket sleeve. There's even a small role for Dennis Hopper of "Easy Rider" fame. Grade: C- Muvico Egyptian 24

"Man on Wire" (PG-13). Here's an absorbing documentary about French aerialist Philippe Petit's carefully planned and totally illegal walk across a wire stretched between the World Trade Center's twin towers in 1974. Fresh interviews with Petit and his assistants provide an interesting mix of logistical information and philosophical ruminations. Grade: B Charles Theatre

"The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" (PG-13). This sequel about a Chinese ruler coming back from the dead is mostly just an excuse for computer-generated skeleton armies to fight in modern times. It's so busy that it certainly provides plenty of empty spectacle. With Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Pineapple Express" (R). This drug-obsessed comedy with Seth Rogen and James Franco gets high on all its low jokes. The loosely scripted and relentless pot humor would be easier to take if the action movie-spoofing plot weren't so repulsively violent. Grade: C Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" (PG-13). The good luck-delivering pants that are periodically exchanged between gal pals Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera and Alexis Bledel seem thematically threadbare in a sequel that awkwardly cuts between their summer adventures around the world. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Space Chimps" (G). Animated comedy about three chimp astronauts who encounter alien life. Small kids may enjoy it. Voices include Jeff Daniels, Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Samberg and Cheryl Hines. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Step Brothers" (R). Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly play extremely childish middle-aged men who become squabbling stepbrothers. It's a sloppy comedy, but enough of the juvenile humor hits to make it enjoyable. Grade: B- Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Swing Vote" (PG-13). Kevin Costner plays a drunk dad whose vote will decide the next president of the United States. If you can get past that improbable premise, you're also up against a political satire that gets tangled up by its determination not to offend anybody. Although it's thematically confused, individual scenes score and Costner's understated performance may win you over. With Madeline Carroll, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci, Mare Winningham, Richard Petty and Willie Nelson. Grade: B- UA Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Tell No One" (NR). Densely plotted French murder mystery in which a doctor (Francois Cluzet) tries to solve a crime and clear his own name in the process. It definitely holds your interest, but some of the plot twists must be taken with a large grain of salt. Grade: B- Charles Theatre

"The X-Files: I Want to Believe" (PG-13). It's not always easy to believe the murder mystery developments here, but fans of the old TV series will be pleased to see David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson return to their investigative roles in a world where the paranormal is normal. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

All capsule reviews and grades are by Mike Giuliano unless otherwise noted. Bookings change on Friday. For showtimes and to confirm listings, call the phone-in number in Screen Scene.

SCREEN SCENE

AMC Columbia Mall 14
Columbia Town Center, Columbia,
410-423-0520

Snowden Square Stadium 14
9161 Commerce Center Drive, Columbia,
410-872-0670

Charles Theatre
1711 N. Charles St., Baltimore,
410-727-FILM

Maryland Science Center IMAX Theater
601 Light St., Baltimore,
410-685-5225

Muvico Egyptian 24
Arundel Mills Boulevard at Route 100, Hanover,
443-755-8992

West Nursery 14
1591 W. Nursery Road, Linthicum,
410-850-8999

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