ISLAND LIFE
'Seinfeld' tops TV list

An 'Empire' buster?

Theater owners were treated to advanced screenings of "Episode II: Attack of the Clones" on Thursday. The Internet has been buzzing with their anonymous armchair reviews ever since. The verdicts? Resounding sabers up. True, director George Lucas could have filled "Episode II" with home movies of his kids riding horseback at Skywalker Ranch and still pleased longtime fans after the disappointing "Phantom Menace." But we didn't expect comparisons to "The Empire Strikes Back" — arguably the best film of the "Star Wars" series — and claims of "Clones" surpassing it on nearly every level.

We wouldn't dream of spilling any revealing plot beans here, but you'll find enough "Clones" spoilers to satisfy at theforce.net. Film critics will weigh in later this week and next, but with just nine days to go until premiere day, this fan praise finally moves our "Clones" Light-saber meter from its long-held 8 position to a very hopeful 9.

Time for a new clock

We all recognize the Kit-Cat Clock, that clock-bellied kitschy kitty in black and white with the tail that wags in counterpoint to the side-to-side movement of its eyes.

Now, California Clock Co. has created a companion piece for the Hello Kitty generation: a hot pink, limited-edition Lady Kit-Cat Clock with, in addition to the aforementioned tail & etc., long, black eyelashes and a pearl necklace. It sells for $49.99 at gift shops and online at www.Kit-Cat.com.