New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Pineapple Express, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

The summer season is beginning its month-long wind down. The blockbusters are all in the rear view mirror and we have a month of a few hopeful box office hits (Tropic Thunder, The Clone Wars), but mostly the month is filled with potential sleepers. Now, while it doesn't look like we will get any $300 million films for a while, don't let that imply that we won't get any good movies. This week gets a head start on the weekend by delivering a pair of films with modest potential money wise, but both have the potential to be worthwhile movie experiences that should not be sold short. So, while you still deal with sold out The Dark Knight screenings, perhaps these will be able to fill the need for movie fun.

Pineapple Express. (2008, 10 minutes, R, comedy, trailer) Are you ready for a dose of the funny? Will the Judd Apatow comedy camp deliver another August winner? Yes and perhaps. Last August Superbad proved to be a surprise hit, I am sure they are hoping for a repeat performance. This film pairs Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Superbad) with James Franco (Spider-Man trilogy, Flyboys) as a couple on the run from drug dealers and the man that Rogen witnessed commit murder while under the influence of the pineapple express. Every time I see the trailer for this I crack up, it looks high-larious. Seth Rogen also co-wrote the script with Evan Goldberg as a follow up to Superbad. The movie is directed by David Gordon Green who is more known for his indie dramas, perhaps this will be the film to garner him more attention?

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. (2008, 117 minutes, PG-13, comedy, trailer) I have never seen the first one, should I give this a shot without that in my background? Well, if I do, it wouldn't be the first time I've seen a sequel or adaptation without seeing the original source. Anyway, this film continues the story of four friends whose lives went in different directions, keeping a connection through a pair of jeans. The friends are played by Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Blake Lively. All four are back for the sequel, which is directed by Sanaa Hamri (Something New). Maybe I'll give it a shot.

Also opening this week, but not near me:

• Beer for My Horses
• Hell Ride

Box Office Predictions
This weekend could prove to be an interesting beast. Why? Well, the blockbuster portion of the summer is spent. August could provide some surprises, but nothing looks like it will be a box office killer, so we could see The Dark Knight back at the top. Since The Mummy failed to take the top spot last weekend, it is unlikely it will climb that high in its second weekend. Combine that with the fact that it is unlikely the R-rated Pineapple Express will be a breakout hit, it looks like The Dark Knight will take the top spot for its fourth straight weekend, although I suspect that it will be close.

Here is how I think the top ten field will play out:

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	The Dark Knight	$28 million
2	Pineapple Express	$26 million
3	The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor	$22 million
4	Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2	$15 million
5	Step Brothers	$8 million
6	Mamma Mia!	$6.5 million
7	Journey to the Center of the Earth	$4.5 million
8	Hancock	$3.5 million
9	Swing Vote	$3 million
10	Wall*E	$2.8 million