SHOW BIZ
Expect to see Oscars for 'Rings,' Penn, Theron
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
OSCAR OBSERVATIONS: OK, Johnny Depp was the dark-horse winner in the Screen Actors Guild awards Sunday. Such piracy is unlikely to happen when Oscar calls this Sunday.
Here's how we see 'em in seven key categories:
- Best Picture: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." The third time's the charm.
- Best Director: Peter Jackson, "Rings." Finally, a hobbit with Hollywood.
- Best Actor: Sean Penn, "Mystic River." The Penn is mightier than the suave Bill Murray.
- Best Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins, "Mystic River." Hey, Susan Sarandon would love to be basking in Robbins' win.
- Best Actress: Charlize Theron, "Monster." It would be murder if she doesn't win.
- Best Supporting Actress: Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain." Just walk away, Renee, if they deny you the trophy.
- Best Song: "Into the West," from "Lord of the Rings." A mighty wind could blow it away. ...
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ITEMIZATIONS: Folks at the Performing Artist Academy, where "American Idol" contestant Jasmine Trias gets her voice lessons, staged a send-off party for her Monday night at the Esprit lounge of the Sheraton Waikiki hotel. The potluck affair was a chance for the school 'ohana, headed by William Daquioag, to wish the third Hawai'i "Idol" candidate good luck and aloha (she left yesterday for her appearance Tuesday on the Fox show). Her pals also have started wearing and ordering "Jasmine, Hawai'i's Idol" T-shirts, an indication of the great grassroots support. ...
Travel log: The Makaha Sons — Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko — are off to Japan on a performing trip. Back home March 5, but leave that night for a Las Vegas gig, returning March 10, and returning to Japan March 11. They come home again March 19 to do that March 20 Lu'au Bash at the Blaisdell Center for 105.1 KINE Radio. And you thought you were busy. ...
Jack and Cha Thompson also have been in Japan on Tihati Productions visitor industry business, now that the Japanese are heading for Hawai'i again. ...
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NAMES 'N' PLACES: "Kiss Me Kate," premiering tonight at Army Community Theatre's Richardson Theatre, offers a bit of art imitating life — or is it the other way around? Cathy Foy and Buz Tennent portray a divorced couple who excel on stage; behind the scenes, Wisa D'Orso and Jim Hutchison are ex-marrieds who excel (he's directing and choreographing, she's helping with vocal coaching). D'Orso, a beloved lady of the acting stage, suffered a stroke a few weeks back but has rebounded with her usual sparkle. "Had trouble with one eye," she said of a side effect, but that hasn't put a lid on her energy or wit. ...
Hanks Cafe Honolulu, the Nu'uanu Avenue watering hole in Chinatown, launches a Comedy Night every first Monday of the month, beginning March 1. Bo Irvine and Abigail Gwinn will host; Jimmy Friedman provides music. ...
Bucci Canencia, formerly of The Krush, married his fiancée Cora, a Las Vegas chiropractor, in his hometown, Waialua. The couple honeymooned at the Sheraton Waikiki and checked out the Society of Seven Las Vegas at the Outrigger's Main Showroom, where ex-Krush member Freddy Von Paraz is drummer. The couple also checked out Tino & the Rhythm Klub at Esprit and the "Make Me Laugh 2" concert at the Hawaiian Hut, where Andy Bumatai put in a surprise appearance — yet another reunion for Canencia, since Bumatai and Krush shared the limelight at the old Ocean Showroom of the Reef Hotel. ...
And that's Show Biz. ...
Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
