THE LEFT LANE
Attack of the reviews: Episode II pummeled

The Los Angeles Times said the script felt like "something Lucas and co-writer Jonathan Hales threw together in their spare time." Still more critical drubbing came from Newsweek, Roger Ebert and the Hollywood Reporter. Most agreed, however, that "Star Wars" fans would likely leave theaters satisfied by "Clones' " action scenes and computer-generated razzle dazzle. And shock jock Howard Stern and "Clerks" director Kevin Smith (both professed "Wars" fans) managed to give up some love for the film.

Our final buzz meter reading is a "5." We'll be there, but only out of a sense of numbed duty and nostalgia.

Obliterate those annoying pop-ups

Hate those annoying pop-up windows that invade your screen when you surf the Web? There is a way to attack back. Some free pop-up killers are available from download.com (look for PopUp Killer), and PopupStopper.net. Another solution is at your fingertips on the keyboard. When a pop-up ad appears, hit the "W" key while holding down the "Control" key on a PC. Or, on a Mac, hold down the "Apple" key when you hit "W."

The hugely popular "Dragon Ball Z" animated TV show has spawned a home video game. FUNimation Productions' "Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku" is scheduled to hit stores Friday. On the power of advance sales alone, "Legacy of Goku" is already the top-selling Game Boy Advance game on Amazon.com. "Dragon Ball Z" is on the Cartoon Network.

Maui restaurateur coming to Ala Moana

Maui restaurateur Bob Longhi is bringing his familiar concept — a welcoming atmosphere, spoken menus, fresh flavors and reasonable prices — to Honolulu in December or January.

Longhi this week signed a contract for the new space on the makai side of Ala Moana Center, above Morton's Restaurant, and will serve three meals a day there as he does at his Longhi's eateries in Lahaina and at the Shops at Wailea, both on Maui. Longhi's daughter, Carol, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, will supervise the menu, which focuses on local seafood, steaks and fresh-made pasta dishes, as she does for the two Maui restaurants.

Unlike Morton's, Longhi's at Ala Moana will take advantage of the views and fresh sea breezes with 14-foot ceilings, large windows and skylights. "I think most of our business over there is going to be local people," he predicted.