Pineapple Express ***

Cast: Seth Rogan, James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, Danny R. McBride, Kevin Corrigan, Amber Heard
Director: David Gordon Green
Running Length: 1:51
MPAA Classification: R

Dale Denton (Rogan) is a process server and a stoner. He has a girlfriend in high school (Heard), and likes to hang out with his dealer, Saul (Franco). One evening, Dale witnesses a murder. The murderers, a drug lord (Cole) and a crooked cop (Perez) are soon on his tail. They trace a joint left behind at the scene, a variety called “Pineapple Express” back to Saul, and soon Dale and Saul are running for their lives.

“Pineapple Express” is yet another film from the Judd Apatow machine, and on par with “Superbad.” Rogen and Franco have good chemistry and comic timing. Franco is more at home in dramas, but is genuinely funny here. Despite being a “stoner movie”, it is a buddy movie at heart. Action is not what you would expect from Rogen, and although he handles it well, especially in the last 30 minutes, the action packed ending does run a bit long. Overall, “Pineapple Express” delivers what it promises: a funny stoner comedy.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor **

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford, Isabella Leong
Director: Rob Cohen
Running Length: 1:51
MPAA Classification: PG-13

In ancient China, Emperor Han (Li) united the country. The only thing left for him to conquer was death. The witch Zi Juan (Yeoh) is said to have that power, but when Han kills her lover, she curses Han and his men turning them into stone. In 1947, Alex O’Connell (Ford) discovers their tomb. Soon, the forces looking to return Han to power are able to revive him and his army. Now, Alex, with the help of his parents Rick (Fraser) and Evelyn (Bello) must stop Han from becoming immortal and return him to his grave.

It has been seven years since “The Mummy Returns”, and that is too long for the O’Connells. One could even argue that a third movie was never necessary, even five years ago, as “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns” were a complete story. This time around, Alex has been aged into his 20’s and looks too old to be Brendan Fraser’s son. The recasting of Evelyn also makes her appear older than Rick. Maria Bello is a solid actress, but she is out of her element here, and it shows. She is better than this silly movie, and should shy away from any possible sequels. The story is weak, lacking the charm of the first two. If you have to see this, wait until it is out on DVD.

Mamma Mia! **1/2

Cast: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Dominic Cooper, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Running Length: 1:48
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Sophie (Seyfried) is about to get married to Sky (Cooper). She lives on a small Greek island with her single mother Donna (Streep). She does not know her father, but has a plan to find him. After looking through her mother’s diary, she has sent wedding invitations to three possible candidates: Sam (Brosnan), Harry (Firth), and Bill (Skarsgård). Her hope is that upon their arrival, she will be able to tell instantly who her dad is. Things never go as easy as planned though…

“Mamma Mia!” is the latest musical to make it’s way from Broadway to the big screen. The result is somewhat successful, I suppose. The story itself if a bit on the silly side, created to bring the songs of ABBA together (unlike most musicals whose songs serve the story). If you like ABBA’s songs at any level, you will find some enjoyment in this film. Streep and Seyfried sing very well, although the guys are on the opposite end of the singing talent spectrum. Fortunately, the ladies sing the vast majority of the songs. This isn’t a great movie, but there is some enjoyment to be had. I would recommend it for fans of musicals and fans of the music of ABBA.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe ***

Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, Alvin 'Xzibit' Joiner, Callum Keith Rennie, Mitch Pillegi
Director: Chris Carter
Running Length: 1:44
MPAA Classification: PG-13

FBI agents Dakota Whitney (Peet) and Mosley Drummy (James) are investigating the disappearance of an FBI agent with the help of a psychic pedophile priest, Father Joe (Connelly). Father Joe is having visions, and Whitney turns to Fox Mulder (Duchovny), who has worked with X-File cases before. The FBI agrees to drop any charges against him for his help, and he is soon drawn in. Dana Scully (Anderson) is less receptive to helping out, but does help out Mulder, who she has been living with for the last six years (since the TV show ended). As they get closer to finding the agent, it becomes clear that something strange is going on.

After all this time, it is good to see Mulder and Scully back together again. Duchovny and Anderson slip back into the characters almost effortlessly. The movie itself shies away from the alien mythology of the TV show and focuses on a standalone story. The movie comes feels like a long TV episode, but that is OK. It works, and the story is bizarre enough to be interesting. It will work for long-time fans and people who have no previous X-Files experience. I recommend this film and hope that they make more.