"Babylon A.D." (PG-13). Not reviewed. Mathieu Kassovitz directs Vin Diesel in this sci-fi drama as a mercenary hired to protect a woman keeping a secret that could doom the human race. Opens Friday, Aug. 29.

"College" (R). Not reviewed. Clarksville actor Ryan Pinkston is featured in director Deb Hagan's comedy about high school seniors who attend a college orientation and end up ensconced in a wild fraternity. Opens Friday, Aug. 29.

"Disaster Movie" (R). Not reviewed. Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer direct this satire in which a group of twentysomethings end up bombarded by a series of crazy disasters. Opens Friday, Aug. 29.

"Traitor" (R). Terrorism is the nervously topical subject of a political thriller about a Sudanese-born, American-raised Muslim (Don Cheadle) whose loyalty is questioned by both the American government and Islamic terrorists. Unfortunately, this munition expert's motives seem to baffle the filmmakers as much as their characters. Insight is lacking just when it's needed most. Grade: B- Opens Wednesday, Aug. 27.

NOW PLAYING

"Bottle Shock" (PG-13). This real case-based story about a California winery trying to impress French wine tasters in the 1970s comes off as a flat "Sideways" wannabe. The inspirational themes are as forced as the comedy. With Bill Pullman, Alan Rickman, Freddy Rodriguez and Rachael Taylor. Grade: C+ Muvico Egyptian 24

"Death Race" (R). Updating the 1975 cult item "Death Race 2000," this knowingly inane action picture features Jason Statham as a prisoner who becomes a race car driver in the corporate-run facility's pay-per-view races. As the prison warden, Joan Allen is the queen of mean. Grade: C Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"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- Muvico Egyptian 24

"Henry Poole Is Here" (PG). Director Mark Pellington ("Arlington Road") has a heavy hand helming this inspirational tale starring Luke Wilson as a reclusive man whose neighbor insists she sees a religious figure in a water stain on his wall. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Journey to the Center of the Earth" (PG). Owing more to theme park rides than to its source in a Jules Verne novel, this thrill-a-minute 3-D adventure stars Brendan Fraser as a geologist fighting carnivorous plants and dinosaurs underground. Grade: B- AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"The Longshots" (PG). No sports movie cliche goes unexplored in this well-intentioned story about a socially ostracized middle school girl (Keke Palmer) who comes out of her shell when her uncle (Ice Cube) persuades her to try out for the boys' football team. Grade: C+ Snowden Square 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Mamma Mia!" (PG-13). You'd better love the silly pop songs by the '70s group ABBA if you attend this entertaining adaptation of the Broadway musical about a young woman's search for the identity of her father. The cast is enjoyable, and the Greek scenery is easy on the eyes. Grade: B+ 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

"Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (PG). George Lucas cashes in with this so-so animated feature. Familiar "Star Wars" characters engage in so many battles in the fast-paced story that at least the fan base will be satisfied. Grade: B- Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Transsiberian" (R). Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer play Americans whose long train ride across Siberia becomes a nightmarish adventure involving drug smuggling and related illegal activity. The ubiquitous Ben Kingsley is among the shrewd casting choices in this effectively constructed thriller. Grade: B Muvico Egyptian 24

"Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (PG-13). The usual jazz score is replaced with a seductive Spanish guitar in Woody Allen's charming romantic comedy about American tourists Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall becoming involved with Spanish painter Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz as the painter's volatile ex-wife. Grade: B+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 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

user comments (2)

user sergal says...

I would like inform you that Scarlett Johansson (actress)actually is a clone from original person,who has nothing with acting career.Clone was created illegally by using stolen biomaterial. Original Scarlett Galabekian last name is nice, CHRISTIAN young lady!I'll tell you more,those clones(it's not only one)made in GERMANY-world leader manufacturer of humans clones,it is in Ludwigshafen am Rhein,N. Bavaria, Mr. Helmut Kohl home town.You can't even imaging the scale of the cloning activity.But warning! H. Kohl clone staff 100% controlling their clones spreading around the world,they are very accurate with that, some of them are still NAZI type disciplined and mind controlled clones,be careful get close with clones you will be controlled too.Original family did not authorize any activity with stolen biological materials,no matter what form it was created,it all needs back to original family control to Cedars-Sinai MedicalCenter in LA.Original Scarlett is not engage,by the way!

Posted 8:40 PM, 08.28.08

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user cvisions says...

F.Y.I.
Not only is Ryan Pinkston local but Deb Hagen the director of "College" is from Elicott City. She still has family here and told Ryan she comes back to visit often!
Ryan's Mom

Posted 10:20 PM, 08.28.08

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