"American Teen" (PG-13). Despite occasionally seeming suspiciously slick, this documentary about high school students in an Indiana town incisively presents a demographic assortment. Their contrasting personalities and nervously funny interactions provide enough melodrama to fill their senior year. Grade: B Opens Friday, Aug. 8.

"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. 8.

"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 Opens Wednesday, Aug. 6.

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"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

"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, 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- Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 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

"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. With Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard. Grade: B+ Snowden Square 14, AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"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

"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- AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"Wall-E" (G). The nearly wordless opening section of this animated movie is quite distinctive, as the title robot explores a skyscraper-filled city that has been abandoned by people. Although the rest of the story becomes much busier and loses some of that special quality, it's always entertaining. 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

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