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DAILY STYLE CHEC By Susan King Times Staff Writer big Tom Hanks is proclaiming in jest. is Kidding aside, the decade-old movie to which Hanks refers is the Oscar-winning which arrives today in a special two-disc anniversary edition DVD The discs feature the original widescreen and Imax versions of the box-office hit about the near-fatal 1970 space mission, commentary with director Ron Howard and Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell and his and three documentaries. is an awful lot of stuff on the DVD, both the movie and the of the space missions, he says. Hanks believes the 1995 film continues to resonate because it was the first definitive space drama about the Apollo missions. are oceans of documentaries, most of them long ago and most of them very kind of almost industrial than that, the entire area had been relegated to less interesting programming on Discovery and the History succeeded, he says, because it focused on the human dimensions of the story.

great drama, also great science and great The film inspired Hanks to produce the 1998 Emmy Award- winning HBO miniseries, the Earth to the thought the two hours we had for were great and he says, I thought there were easily 12 more stories we could tell the same Hanks has returned to outer space again as a producer of a 3-D Imax movie, which is scheduled to open this fall. are taking a huge amount of archival footage the manned moon much of which has not been seen, and we are also recreating the lunar surface, so like the audience is walking on the moon along with the astronauts. I am lucky we keep finding this burgeoning technology tell the as well as the market for an audience that will show up for the subject Also new this week: (Sony, $20): Natalie Portman and Clive Owen received supporting actress and actor Oscar nominations for this adult relationship drama directed by Mike Nichols. The only extra is Damien music video, (New Line, $28): Mike latest project about a1950s abortionist working illegally in England received three Oscar nominations for direction and screenplay and for Imelda sterling lead performance. (New Video, $27): When documentary filmmaker Judith Helfand learned her parents were re-siding their home with blue vinyl, she and co-director Daniel B.

Gold set out to discover how vinyl is made and if its production was hazardous to health. Included on the DVD is commentary with Helfand and Gold, an epilogue featuring her parents, deleted scenes and two bonus shorts. After being fired as director of the Japanese section of Tora! legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa went through a period of depression which led to a suicide attempt. When he had a difficult time securing the funding for this stirring, handsomely mounted 1980 historical epic, good friends George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola convinced 20th Century Fox to put up the money and release the film. The two-disc set includes commentary from Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince, a Japanese documentary, new interviews with Lucas and Coppola, and the inventive a video piece that reconstructs the film through watercolor storyboards and sketches for the film.

Boy The Complete (Sony, $50): Third TV version of Osamu 1952 comic book creation about an innocent robot. The original 1960 animated Japanese series was in black and white; the 2003 version combines hand drawing and computer animation. The only added attraction is a featurette, which is in Japanese with English subtitles. Ironically, the 50 episodes are only available in dubbed English, Spanish and Portuguese. (Universal, $20): Trey Parker and Matt Stone also made this 1998 comedy about a Mormon who becomes a porn superhero called Orgazmo.

The edition features the unrated and R-rated version, outtakes and deleted scenes, interviews with the creators, a documentary and three audio commentaries. She Wrote The First Complete (Universal, $50): Angela Lansbury achieved TV superstar status in 1984 as spunky mystery writer Jessica Fletcher. There are no extras. the (New Line, Saint The Early Episodes, Set $60). THE EXTRAS FILE Ron Batzdorff IN DANGER: Bill Paxton, left, and Tom Hanks costarred in Ron Human drama of captured Discs also include Imax version and commentary by astronaut Jim Lovell.

CALENDAR E5 LOSANGELESTIMES THE PACIFIER (PG) 12:20 2:40 5:00 7:20 9:45 BE COOL (PG-13) 1:30 4:30 7:30 10:30 DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN (PG-13) 11:15 10:30 PM HITCH (PG-13) 1:25 4:15 7:05 9:55 MILLION DOLLAR BABY (PG-13) 4:20 7:25 10:30 THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT! LATE NIGHT CLASSICS! THE GODFATHER 2 (R) ONLY $5.00 SEE IT ON THE BIG SCREEN! IMAX THEATRE FIGHTER PILOT: OPERATION RED FLAG AN IMAX EXPERIENCE 11:00 2:10 IMAX THEATRE ROBOTS (PG) AN IMAX EXPERIENCE 12:15 3:25 5:30 7:40 9:50 GUESS WHO (PG-13) 11:15 12:15 1:50 2:50 4:25 5:25 7:00 8:00 9:35 10:35 HALL 11:45 2:20 4:55 7:30 10:05 MISS CONGENIALITY 2: ARMED AND FABULOUS (PG-13) 1:20 4:15 7:10 10:00 HALL 1:50 4:40 7:40 10:30 THE RING TWO (PG-13) 12:40 1:10 3:40 4:10 6:40 7:10 9:00 9:25 9:55 HALL 1:40 4:40 7:40 10:25 THE UPSIDE OF ANGER (R) 12:00 1:50 2:40 4:30 5:20 7:10 8:00 9:50 ROBOTS (PG) 11:15 11:45 2:00 2:30 4:45 7:00 ON OUR IMAX SCREEN 12:15 3:25 5:30 7:40 9:50 HOSTAGE (R) 1:45 4:30 7:15 10:00 ICE PRINCESS (G) 12:30 2:50 5:10 7:30 9:50 THE BRIDGE ON THE WESTSIDE THE PROMENADE AT HOWARD HUGHES CENTER CENTER DRIVE ON THE HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY OFF THE 405 17 STATE-OF-THE-ART AUDITORIUMS FULL STADIUM-STYLE SEATING ALL DIGITAL SOUND Purchase Tickets by phone at 310-568-3375 or online www.thebridgecinema.com Hall Hotline 310-568-9295 IMAX IMAX Group SPECIAL STUDENT PRICE WITH VALID I.D. HALL FEATURES EXTRA WIDE ULTRALEATHER SEATS AND PREMIUM RESERVE SEATING BARGAIN MATINEE TIL 6 PM DAILY SHOW TIMES FOR MARCH 29th SUBJECT TO CHANGE AGOURA HILLS Mann Agoura Hills 8 ALHAMBRA Edwards Alhambra Renaissance 14 ARCADIA AMC Santa Anita 16 AZUSA Foothill Cinema 10 BURBANK AMC Burbank 16 BURBANK AMC Media Center 8 BURBANK AMC Media Center North 6 CALABASAS Edwards Calabasas Stadium 6 CERRITOS Edwards Cerritos Stadium 10 CERRITOS UA Galaxy Los Cerritos 11 CHATSWORTH Winnetka Stadium 21 CITY OF COMMERCE Commerce (1 Print 1 Print Spanish Subtitles) CITY OF INDUSTRY Vineland Drive-In COVINA AMC Covina 30 CULVER CITY Culver Stadium 12 DOWNEY Downey Cinema 10 EL MONTE Edwards El Monte 8 GLENDALE Mann 10 Theatres at the Exchange GRANADA HILLS Mann Granada Hills 9 HOLLYWOOD Campus (Spanish Subtitles) HUNTINGTON PARK California Theatre (Spanish Subtitles) HUNTINGTON PARK Park (Spanish Subtitles) LA UA La 8 LA VERNE Edwards La Verne Stadium 12 LAKEWOOD Lakewood Center South LAKEWOOD Lakewood Center Stadium 16 LONG BEACH AMC Marina Pacifica 12 LONG BEACH AMC Pine Square 16 LONG BEACH Cinemark the Pike LONG BEACH Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 LOS ANGELES University Village 3 MANHATTAN BEACH Manhattan Village MARINA DEL REY UA Marina Del Rey 6 MONROVIA Monrovia Cinema 12 MONTEBELLO AMC Montebello 10 NORTH HOLLYWOOD Century 8 NORTHRIDGE Northridge Fashion Center Stadium 10 NORWALK AMC Norwalk 20 PARAMOUNT Bianchi Theatres PASADENA Hastings PASADENA Paseo Stadium 14 POMONA Indian Hill Cinema 8 PUENTE HILLS AMC Puente Hills 20 REDONDO BEACH AMC Galleria at South Bay ROLLING HILLS AMC Rolling Hills ROLLING HILLS ESTATES Regal Avenues Stadium 13 SAN PEDRO Regal Terrace 6 SANTA CLARITA Edwards Canyon Country Stadium 10 SOUTH BAY Beach Cities Stadium 16 SOUTH GATE Edwards South Gate Stadium 20 (2 Prints 1 Print Spanish Subtitles) TARZANA Mann Valley West TEMPLE CITY Regency Temple City VALENCIA Edwards Valencia Stadium 12 VAN NUYS Mann Plant 16 (2 Prints 1 Print Spanish Subtitles) WEST COVINA Edwards West Covina Stadium 18 WEST HILLS Fallbrook WEST LOS ANGELES The Bridge Cinema De Lux WESTLAKE VILLAGE Mann Westlake Village 8 WHITTIER Whittier Village Theatre WOODLAND HILLS AMC Promenade 16 CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATRES AND SHOWTIMES IN ORANGE, RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNARDINO AND VENTURA COUNTIES WESTWOOD AMC Avco Mon Tue 1:30 4:15 7:15 9:30 PM HOLLYWOOD ArcLight Hollywood at Sunset Vine Mon Tue 12:20 3:00 5:10 7:20 Non-Digital Showtimes Mon Tue 1:35 4:25 PM L.A. BEVERLY HILLS The Grove Stadium 14 Daily 11:35 AM 1:55 4:20 6:45 9:10 PM Non-Digital Showtimes Daily 10:35 AM 12:50 3:05 PM SANTA MONICA AMC Santa Monica Seven Theatres Daily 11:30 AM 1:50 4:20 7:00 9:35 PM Non-Digital Showtimes Daily 12:10 2:35 5:05 PM UNIVERSAL CITY Loews Cineplex Universal Studios Cinema Mon 4:00 6:50 9:20 PM Non-Digital Showtimes Mon 3:30 6:20 PM BALDWIN HILLS Magic Theatres at Crenshaw Plaza Mon AM 2:00 4:35 7:00 9:30 PM Also on 1 Non-Digital Screen SHERMAN OAKS Galleria Stadium 16 Mon Tue 2:10 5:10 8:05 PM Also on 1 Non-Digital Screen GLENDALE Mann Marketplace 4 Daily 12:00 2:30 5:00 7:30 10:10 PM CENTURY CITY AMC Century 14 Mon Tue 12:15 2:30 5:10 8:00 10:20 PM UNIVERSAL CITY Universal CityWalk IMAX Theatre Daily 12:00 2:15 4:30 7:45 10:00 PM WEST LOS ANGELES IMAX Theatre at the Bridge Cinema de Lux Daily 12:15 3:25 5:30 7:40 9:50 PM VALENCIA Edwards Valencia IMAX Theatre Mon Tue 11:30 AM 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:30 9:30 PM And Riveting In DAZZLING! MALCOLM JONES AJOYTOBEHOLD ROGER EBERT WILDLY INVENTIVE! ROBERT K. ELDER AMC Avco Mon-Tues 1:45 4:30 7:30 10:00 PM Advance Tickets On Sale Daily. $4.00 Parking Fri-Sun.

$3.00 Parking Mon-Thurs. at The Avco Center Parking. at the Dome Mon-Tues: Private Screening. ArcLight Hollywood at Sunset Vine On 2 Screens Mon-Tues 12:00 2:30 5:20 7:15 8:10 10:15 10:50 PM 4 hours validated parking CITY AMC Century 14 On 2 Screens Mon-Thurs 12:30 2:15 3:30 4:45 6:30 7:30 9:20 10:20 PM 3 hrs free parking. Additional 2 hr parking $3.00 with AMC validation.

HILLS The Grove Stadium 14 On 3 Screens Mon-Wed 10:45 11:20 AM 1:25 2:00 4:15 4:45 6:25 6:55 7:35 9:10 9:50 10:25 PM Thurs 10:45 11:20 AM 1:25 2:00 4:15 4:45 6:55 7:35 9:50 10:25 PM 4 hours on-site validated parking only $2.00. MONICA Loews Cineplex Broadway Cinemas On 3 Screens Mon 11:15 AM 12:30 1:45 2:30 3:00 4:15 5:30 7:00 8:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 PM Tues 11:15 AM 1:45 2:30 3:00 4:15 5:30 7:00 8:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 PM CITY Loews Cineplex Universal Studios Cinema On 4 Screens Mon-Tues 12:30 1:10 1:50 3:40 4:10 5:00 6:30 7:10 8:00 8:40 9:30 10:10 PM Free Movie Parking (Rebate at Box Office. Excludes Valet Preferred Parking) LOS ANGELES The Bridge Cinema De Lux On 3 Screens Daily 12:40 1:10 3:40 4:10 6:40 7:10 9:00 9:25 9:55 PM Hall: Daily 1:40 4:40 7:40 10:25 PM HILLS Mann Agoura Hills 8 Edwards Atlantic Palace 10 VIEJO Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20 AMC at Downtown District HILLS Cinema City Theatres ANAHEIM HILLS Edwards Anaheim Hills Festival AMC Santa Anita 16 Foothill Cinema 10 HILLS Magic Theatres At Crenshaw Plaza Edwards Brea Stadium 22 Cinemas PARK Metroplex 18 BURBANK AMC Burbank 16 AMC Town Center 8 AMC Town Center 6 Edwards Grand Palace Stadium Cinemas At The Commons Edwards Camarillo Palace 12 Cinemas Edwards Cerritos Stadium 10 United Artists Galaxy Theatre at Los Cerritos Center Winnetka Stadium 21 Chino Spectrum Marketplace 12 OF COMMERCE Commerce CITY OF INDUSTRY Vineland Drive-In Edwards Corona 15 Cinemas Edwards Corona Crossings Stadium 18 MESA Edwards Metro Pointe Stadium 12 MESA Edwards Triangle Square 8 AMC Covina 30 CITY Culver Stadium 12 Downey Cinema 10 DOWNTOWN L.A. Grande MONTE Edwards El Monte 8 Cinemas RANCH Regal Cinemas Foothill Towne Center Stadium 22 AMC Fullerton 20 GARDEN GROVE 4 Star Cinemas GROVE Regal Cinemas Garden Grove Stadium 16 Mann Marketplace 4 Mann 10 Theatres at The Exchange HILLS Mann Granada Hills 9 Regal Cinemas Hemet 12 PARK Highland BEACH Edwards Charter Centre A Woodbridge Family 5 Edwards 21 Megaplex Cinemas IRVINE Edwards Marketplace Stadium Cinema 10 Edwards Park Place 10 Edwards Westpark Cinema 8 VALLEY Edwards Jurupa Stadium 14 Cinemas CANADA United Artists La Flintridge HABRA Regal Cinemas La Habra Marketplace Stadium 16 VERNE Edwards La Verne Stadium 12 NIGUEL Edwards Ocean Ranch 7 Cinemas Lakewood Center Stadium 16 Lakewood Center South BEACH AMC Marina Pacifica 12 BEACH AMC Pine Square 16 BEACH Cinemark The Pike BEACH Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 Cinemas ANGELES Flagship Theatres University Village 3 FELIZ Vista DEL REY Loews Cineplex Marina Marketplace Cinemas VIEJO Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 Cinemas Monrovia Cinema 12 AMC Montebello 10 BEACH Edwards Newport Cinemas HOLLYWOOD Century 8 Northridge Fashion Center Stadium 10 AMC Norwalk 20 AMC Ontario Mills 30 Edwards Mountain Village Stadium 14 Cinemas Edwards Ontario Palace Stadium 22 A Captain Bloods Village Theatre AMC 30 At The Block Century Stadium 25 Bianchi Theatres Paramount Stadium 11 One Colorado Cinemas Hastings Paseo Stadium 14 Indian Hill Cinema HILLS AMC Puente Hills 20 CUCAMONGA AMC Victoria Gardens Mall 12 SANTA MARGARITA Edwards Rancho Santa Margarita 6 Cinema Redlands Cinema 14 BEACH AMC Galleria at South Bay 16 CinemaStar 18 at Mission Grove University Village Cinemas Signature Riverside Plaza Stadium 16 HILLS AMC Rolling Hills HILLS ESTATES Regal Cinemas The Avenue Stadium 13 BERNARDINO Sterling Cinema 6 CLEMENTE San Clemente Cinema 6 SAN JACINTO Regal Cinemas Metro 12 PEDRO Regal Cinemas Terrace 6 ANA A Main Place Theatres 6 CLARITA Edwards Canyon Country Stadium 10 Cinemas FE SPRINGS Plaza 3 Cinemas OAKS Galleria Stadium 16 VALLEY Edwards Simi Valley Plaza 10 Cinemas VALLEY Regal Cinemas Civic Center Stadium 16 SOUTH BAY Beach Cities Stadium 16 SOUTH GATE Edwards South Gate Stadium 20 Cinemas Mann Valley West Edwards Temecula Stadium 15 Cinemas CITY Regency Temple City Cinemas OAKS Mann Janss Marketplace 9 Edwards Valencia Stadium 12 Cinemas NUYS Mann Plant 16 Century Downtown 10 Century Stadium 16 COVINA Edwards West Covina Stadium 18 VILLAGE Mann Village 8 Edwards Westminster 10 Whittier Village HILLS AMC Promenade 16 OF COMMERCE Commerce HOLLYWOOD Campus HUNTINGTON PARK California HUNTINGTON PARK Park SANTA ANA Fiesta GATE Edwards South Gate Stadium 20 Cinemas CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES OR CALL FOR SHOWTIMES SORRY, NO PASSES ACCEPTED FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT Presentada con en en estos teatros DIGITAL SOUND Bill Bregoli, Westwood One AMC Avco Mon-Tues 1:15 4:00 7:00 9:45 PM Advance Tickets On Sale Daily. $4.00 Parking Fri-Sun.

$3.00 Parking Mon-Thurs. at The Avco Center Parking. at Sunset Vine Mon-Tues 1:20 4:50 8:00 10:40 PM 4 hours validated parking CITY AMC Century 14 On 2 Screens Mon-Thurs 12:45 2:00 3:45 5:00 6:45 7:45 9:30 10:25 PM 3 hrs free parking. Additional 2 hr parking $3.00 with AMC validation. HILLS The Grove Stadium 14 Daily 11:25 AM 2:10 5:00 7:50 10:45 PM 4 hours on-site validated parking only $2.00.

MONICA AMC Santa Monica Seven Theatres Mon-Thurs 11:35 AM 2:15 4:55 7:40 10:20 PM LOS ANGELES The Bridge Cinema De Lux On 2 Screens Daily 12:00 1:50 2:40 4:30 5:20 7:10 8:00 9:50 PM Edwards Renaissance Stadium 14 VIEJO Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20 Edwards Brea Stadium 22 Cinemas AMC Burbank 16 AMC Town Center 8 Winnetka Stadium 21 AMC Covina 30 Edwards 21 Megaplex Cinemas BEACH AMC Marina Pacifica 12 BEACH Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 Cinemas BEACH Edwards Newport Cinemas Edwards Ontario Palace Stadium 22 AMC 30 At The Block Paseo Stadium 14 MIRAGE Century 15 The River HILLS AMC Rolling Hills BARBARA Paseo Nuevo Cinemas OAKS Galleria Stadium 16 BAY Beach Cities Stadium 16 Century Stadium 16 VILLAGE Mann Village 8 HILLS AMC Promenade 16 CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES OR CALL FOR SHOWTIMES SORRY, NO PASSES ACCEPTED FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT Moviefone.com www.upsideofanger.com NEW LINE PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. A FiercelyFunny -Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE decided against showing a science film called because members of a test audience had viewed it as course, all this comes in the wake of Clint Oscar-winning Dollar which was attacked by Rush Limbaugh and others as million-dollar euthanasia The industry response has been muted, to say the least. In Hollywood, when not an election year, few people worry about political storm clouds until the lightning hits their roof. But in an era in which Congress is willing to inject itself into steroid scandal or family decisions, as in the Terri Schiavo would hardly be astretch to imagine a few stray sparks setting off a political crusade against raunch and violence in Hollywood.

If James Dobson can accuse SpongeBob SquarePants of being part of a pro-gay agenda, can charges of devil worship in be far behind? Anyone with a sense of history knows that Hollywood has alousy track record when it comes to standing up to political attacks. During the Red Scare in the 1950s, once the House Un- American Activities Committee began holding hearings, studios blacklisted comedy writers whose biggest crime was going to a Woody Guthrie concert. As one of most outspoken bastions of liberalism, will Hollywood stand up to a new round of cultural attacks? Or will it cave in at the first sign of political pressure? I consulted my satiric crystal ball for a look into the future to see how much backbone we could expect from ashowbiz community under fire. April 15: After protests from conservative bloggers about the new Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn thriller set inside the United Nations, Universal Pictures an- nouncesit will attach disclaimers on all prints of the film, saying the multimillion- dollar marketing campaign promoting the film is in no way an endorsement of continued U.S. support for the U.N.

think people can draw their own conclusions about whether the U.N. is actually an organization devoted to global peace or a pathetic assortment of ungrateful losers, snail-sniffing Franco- philes and pipsqueak debtor studio chief Stacey Snider says. She says reports that the studio had paid longtime liberal activist Penn an extra $1.5 million not to do any press for the film are May 22: CBS network chief Les Moonves announces the launch of a new installment of its successful crime-detection series. The series, titled will be set in Crawford, Texas, not far from President ranch. Moonves insists the locale had nothing to do with the attempt to appease conservative critics who have bashed the network for its alleged liberal bias and the Janet Jackson breast-baring incident at last Super Bowl.

always looking for towns that feel vibrant and hip, so Crawford was an obvious says Moonves, who calls it sheerest of sheer that the ranch is just a throw away. Asked about reports that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) had agreed to do a guest spot as a doctor with a remarkable ability to make diagnoses from distant locations simply by looking at videos of patients, Moonves dis- missesthem as June 17: MTV Networks Chairman Judy McGrath an- nouncesplans for what she termsa groundbreaking new programming feature, the first Abstinence-Only Spring Break Special. Debuting next March, the special will follow the but faith-based of 200 college students at an entertainment resort complex on the campus of Bob Jones University. McGrath says the move is to a barrage of criticism leveled at MTV for such shows as I Want a Famous and Spring Break Candy McGrath says the special will also include exciting of new videos programmed by guest veejay Lynne Cheney. July 4: In a move intended to bolster the most successful reality-TV franchise, NBC Television Group President Jeff Zucker says the latest spin-off of will star GOP political guru Karl Rove.

The show, being rushed into production next month, will test ability to hire friendly questioners for presidential news conferences, obtain footage of political opponents windsurfing off Vineyard and avoid reporters who work for Fox News. just exudes charisma from head to Zucker says. Donald Trump, a real role model to young people in terms of good sportsmanship and playing by the Zucker says he considered hiring Democratic consultant James Carvillebut felt he been on way too many TV shows Zucker declines to confirm reports that the winner will relocate to Tehran to advise the U.S.- backed candidate hoping to unseat Iranian president Mohammad Khatami. Sept. 10: At a hastily called news conference at the Toronto Film Festival, filmmaker Michael Moore blaststhe top executives at major studios, saying he received a single offer to distribute his new documentary investigating the healthcare industry.

silence has been the angry filmmaker says, wearing a baseball cap with the logo, Am Not Lindsay willing to spend millions on Jamie Kennedy and Hilary Duff, who are cold as ice, but they ante up for a guy whose last movie made $120 Moore is especially upset with Warner Bros. chief Alan F. Horn, who had initially expressed interest but broke off negotiations, saying that until it completed filming its epic remake of Poseidon the studio was just to pay the electric October 16: In an announce- ment that sent shock waves from Washington to Culver City, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld sayshe is resigning to take the starring role in Sony new James Bond film, Say a thriller loosely based on the American heroic efforts to achieve peace in Iraq. Sony Chairman Amy Pascal says the hiring of Rumsfeld, who is nearly 20 years older than longtime Bond star Pierce Brosnan, has than to do with his being a popular figure in conservative circles.

is just a sexy, cool Pascal says. got agreat sense of humor me, he knows more about international intrigue than any of the guys paid to write this She refusesto confirm reports that the studio has been in discussions with Al Franken to play an evil terrorist mastermind, though Pascal does who wants our villain to die a slow, horrible death will not be November 9: In an effort to employ some star power to bolster its sagging TV ratings, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences chief Frank Pierson announcesthat Mel Gibson will host the 2006 Oscar telecast, scheduled to air Feb. 26on ABC. going back and watching work in Women we thought this was exactly the right direction to Pierson says, making the announcement outside church in the Malibu hills. told Mel he should feel free to really cut Pierson says the academy is also introducing anew award, best religious film, which will be selected by the newest branch of the academy, to be headed by producer Joel Silver.

Gibson says he has already met with comedy writers to work on material, boasting, guarantee get more laughs from me than ever get from Sean The Big Picture appears in Calendar on Tuesday. Comments and suggestion can be e-mailed to patrick.goldstein@latimes.com. Political storm cloud in Hollywood Goldstein, from Page E1 1. 2. 3.

Special 4. 5. 6. 7. SpongeBob SquarePants 8.

Ninth 9. of the 10. Widescreen (letterbox) edition Los Angeles Times DVD sales Source: DVDExclusive.com The 10 top-selling DVDs for the week ending March 20. Rankings are compiled from a variety of major retailers, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, Blockbuster and Circuit City. Pick up your life on Thursdays.

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