Big screen bouts: 'Step Brothers' vs. 'The X-Files'

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Big screen bouts: 'Step Brothers' vs. 'The X-Files'

By Patrick Kevin Day, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Two movies. One weekend. Most will assess their success on box office tallies. We consider the films' finer points: star power, quotability and all-around coolness. May the best film win.

This week, two battle-tested duos face each other in multiplexes across the country. On the one hand, we have a throwback to the last century -- two world-weary agents battling against the conspiratorial forces at work around everyday citizens. This was fun fantasy back in the '90s, but does it work in today's Iraq-era climate? We shall see.

On the other hand, we have two comedy veterans returning to their dumb-and-dumber shtick that's delivered massive audience adoration twice before. But will third time be the charm, or will this be the "Godfather III" of idiot movies?

The battle begins.