THE LEFT LANE
Geckos seek homes

Advertiser Staff and News Services

The goal now is to find sponsors for the geckos.

Sponsors pick the location where their gecko will be displayed, as well as the design for the artwork from a juried group. About 80 artists submitted 100 designs from which sponsors can choose. Already, 18 groups and individuals — including Donna Howard, who picked out a gecko with her children, to adorn the wall by their pool — have stepped forward.

For more information, call 535-7100.

Mel vs. Monty

The next big push for "Passion of the Christ" comes on Good Friday, April 9, when Newmarket, the distributor, plans to add another 400 to 500 screens. On the weekend ending March 28, the movie was on 3,214 screens.

Expect some interesting counter-programming.

BBC News reported last week that Monty Python's biblical satire, "Life of Brian," will open in an April re-release to mark its 25th anniversary in New York, Los Angeles and other cities. (No word yet on whether Hawai'i will be among them.)

The comedy, condemned as sacrilegious before its '70s release, was partly financed by Beatle George Harrison, who stepped in to finance it after another film company dropped out.

Advertisements, according to the BCC, will say: "Mel or Monty? The Passion or the Python?" Trailers for the movie are expected to start appearing on Good Friday.

Good Friday, the only day of the year that Roman Catholic priests do not celebrate Mass, is considered among the most holy of Christian holidays.

Pono Shim, who runs the concierge service at Consolidated's Ward theater complex, said some pastors have inquired about renting a theater for Good Friday "Passion" screenings.

Accessorize that cell

It's not enough to have your cell phone attached to your person at all times, darlings: You need to accessorize.

Flight 001 — a cool travel-oriented shop that started in Greenwich Village, expanded to San Francisco a couple years ago and just opened in Los Angeles — has come up with City Loop, a woven leather lanyard with a sleek silver clasp that holds IDs, keys and, naturally, a phone. For those whose cells don't have a built-in hook, City Loop provides an adhesive looped tab that can be stuck on the bottom of the phone.

City Loop comes in seven fashionable colors, including pink, orange and pewter. Price: $85. Order at www.flight001.com or (877) 354-4481.