The Left Lane
Book 'em
Better book yourself a space in line between 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. today at Bestsellers Bishop Square, if you want to be sure of getting a copy of the vaunted "God's Photo Album" (HarperCollins, $23). That's where the book's contributors, children from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, will do their first book signing, in between appearances this morning at the state Capitol and the state Library, and later in the mayor's office.
Today is the publication date of the book, written by Shelly Mecum. But that's not always a reliable predictor when books arrive in Hawai'i, so Bestsellers chief Brian Melzack took special pains to fly his shipment in (he'd only quantify that as "hundreds and hundreds" of copies).
Star shills
Some A-list movie and TV stars are looking for work where they normally scorn to go: on Madison Avenue. The reason: the threat of a writers' and actors' strike.
Among those who have signed on for advertising work: Jeremy Irons and Milla Jovovich are starring in an erotic campaign for fashion label Donna Karan, and Mat Dillon is working for Skechers shoes. Steve Martin is the new voice (but not face) of Merrill Lynch, and Charlie Sheen will speak for (but not appear in) Cingular Wireless ads.
– USA Today
Beauty and the big screen
"Beauty and the Beast" is returning to the big screen – the really big screen.
Walt Disney Pictures is following up last year's "Fantasia/2000" run in large-screen Imax theaters with a similar release of an expanded version of the animated musical "Beauty and the Beast" to premiere March 8, 2002, with enhanced visuals and special effects for the super-size screens. And there'll be a new music number, too.
Driving out
Good thing there aren't any drive-ins theaters left in Hawai'i. Disney has told the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association that their members won't be allowed to show this summer's expected blockbuster, "Pearl Harbor," partly shot here.
The filmmakers gave no reason for the stricture and refused to comment. Association president Jim Lipuma says that drive-in operators feel "like the black kid trying to go the white school, and people don't want him there."
– USA Today
