"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 Opened Wednesday, Aug. 6.

NOW PLAYING

"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 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. 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. 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. Grade: B- AMC Columbia Mall 14, Muvico Egyptian 24

"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, 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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