Entertainment & Arts

Big screen bout: ‘Pineapple Express’ vs. ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2’

Star Power ' Pineapple Express' Seth Rogen is the comedy star of the moment, with eight screen appearances in 2008 alone. James Franco appeared in all three “ Spider-Man” movies and the cult hit “Freaks and Geeks” with Rogen. Danny McBride is this year’s rising comic star, with three comedies this summer – “ The Foot Fist Way” and smaller roles in “Pineapple Express” and “ Tropic Thunder.” 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2' The main actresses from the first “Traveling Pants” movie are back, though they’ve had divergent career arcs since 2005. Amber Tamblyn, second from right, hasn’t had a regular TV series since “Joan of Arcadia” was canceled. Similarly, Alexis Bledel, left, hasn’t made a major transition to the big screen since “Gilmore Girls” ended last year. Meanwhile, America Ferrera, second from left, has become a major TV star thanks to “ Ugly Betty” and Blake Lively’s career has taken off because of “ Gossip Girl.” WINNER: This splits straight down gender lines. The “Pineapple” guys don’t really exert a McDreamy-like pull for the ladies, and most guys couldn't care less about seeing Ugly Betty without her braces. We’ll give the edge to the “Pants” girls just because there’s one more of them.

Star Power

’ Pineapple Express’

Seth Rogen is the comedy star of the moment, with eight screen appearances in 2008 alone. James Franco appeared in all three “ Spider-Man” movies and the cult hit “Freaks and Geeks” with Rogen. Danny McBride is this year’s rising comic star, with three comedies this summer – “ The Foot Fist Way” and smaller roles in “Pineapple Express” and “ Tropic Thunder.”

‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2’

The main actresses from the first “Traveling Pants” movie are back, though they’ve had divergent career arcs since 2005. Amber Tamblyn, second from right, hasn’t had a regular TV series since “Joan of Arcadia” was canceled. Similarly, Alexis Bledel, left, hasn’t made a major transition to the big screen since “Gilmore Girls” ended last year. Meanwhile, America Ferrera, second from left, has become a major TV star thanks to “ Ugly Betty” and Blake Lively’s career has taken off because of “ Gossip Girl.”

WINNER: This splits straight down gender lines. The “Pineapple” guys don’t really exert a McDreamy-like pull for the ladies, and most guys couldn’t care less about seeing Ugly Betty without her braces. We’ll give the edge to the “Pants” girls just because there’s one more of them.  (Phil Caruso / Associated Press)

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Judd Apatow

The X Factor

’ Pineapple Express’

This is producer Judd Apatow’s fourth and final production for 2008. It’s the latest in a string of comedies that have come out every few months since last summer’s “Knocked Up.” But like John Hughes before him, are people tiring of his style of comedy – an improvisation-heavy celebration of male bonding? Advance buzz suggests: not yet.

‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2’

The box office success of “ Sex and the City” reignited talk of women as the slumbering giant among movie audiences. They came out in droves to see Carrie and company continue their adventures in Manhattan. Will they be as faithful to the girls with the magically-fitting pair of pants? That’s a riskier proposition.

WINNER: Judd Apatow’s track record is enviable, and even though he’s treading into early Don Simpson-Jerry Bruckheimer territory with his latest venture, it’s not a giant leap from his home ground of relationship comedies. “Pineapple” wins again.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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