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WORD OF MOUTH
'Bruno' is no 'Borat'
Universal will put Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy in wide release, an advantage Fox didn't have in introducing 'Borat' to Americans.
Busy Guillermo del Toro thrives under 'Strain'
The first installment of his vampire novel trilogy arrives as he's at work on two 'Hobbit' films. And there's more in the pipeline.
WEEKLY PRIMETIME TELEVISION RANKINGS
Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week (June 22-28) as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 286 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.
Quick Takes
Judge vetoes 'Rye' sequel
TELEVISION
Thursday's Talk Shows
'Today' marks the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's farewell speech.
TELEVISION
Thursday's Highlights
SASSY: Country music's Sugarland, featuring Jennifer Nettles, performs on a new installment of the concert series 'Soundstage,' at 10 p.m. on KCET. WTTW Chicago
BOOK REVIEW
'Duchess of Death' by Richard Hack
A biography of Agatha Christie examines in detail her 1926 disappearance.
L.A. tributes to 'Betty Blue's' Jean-Jacques Beineix
The French director is getting long overdue attention with in-person shows at the Egyptian and a 'Betty' screening at West L.A.'s Nuart.
THE PERFORMANCE: John Corbett
The actor known for playing the boyfriend returns to play opposite his 'Greek Wedding' costar.
When Nia Vardalos needed a romantic lead for 'I Hate Valentine's Day,' she popped the question to her 'Greek Wedding' costar.
Horoscope: July 2
Aries (March 21-April 19): If you dare to sneak in where you're not invited, you will be rewarded. It's possible that you'll make a new friend, receive a stellar goody bag or have a terrifically terrible story to tell when you get back home.
SCREENING ROOM
'Mamma Mia!' fun planned at Universal CityWalk
With summer in full swing, the movies are heading outdoors. On Thursday nights until the end of August, Universal CityWalk is showing mostly recent releases on a giant screen for free. On tap tonight is last year's "Mamma Mia!" Included in the fun is ABBA-inspired live entertainment. www.citywalkhollywood.com
'America's Got Talent' gives NBC a boost in viewership
The season premiere last week brought the largest audience of any prime-time show for the week.
SCENE STEALER
From 'Transformers' babe to killing machine
It took a 20-person effects team to reveal the 'pretender' Decepticon inside Isabel Lucas' character.
Critic's Pick: 'The Hangover'
Yes, there are enough impure thoughts in director Todd Phillips' dastardly black comedy to put you into a confessional for years, whether you're Catholic or not. Still, in the realm of guilty pleasures, it's hard to beat the brilliant perversion of "The Hangover" for pure fun. After a bachelor party at its drunken worst, we follow the groom's buddies through the rough ride of the morning after, when those splitting headaches prove to be the least of their problems. Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and an especially funny Zach Galifianakis are the intrepid trio trying to reconstruct their night in hopes of locating the groom. A baby, a tiger, a chicken, a tooth and Mike Tyson are just a few of the clues they'll stumble over along this very messy trail. But go, have fun with it. They certainly did.
EVENTS
John Fogerty at the Hollywood Bowl
Former Creedence Clearwater Revival singer John Fogerty stops the rain and brings the firepower to L.A. this Fourth of July. The swamp rocker plays a three-day stand at the Hollywood Bowl (7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday) capped by a fireworks extravaganza each evening. Need a little more sparkle in your life? The nighttime sky shall not be dimmed even by a lousy economy. From Artesia to Yorba Linda, there are dozens of fireworks displays exploding in celebration of Independence Day in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and Riverside counties. See the complete list of fireworks celebrations at: latimes.com/hotlist.
EVENTS
Zeppelin rides over L.A.
Planes, trains, automobiles, boats, space shuttles -- there are myriad ways to get around our big blue planet. But it's a rare day when you can take a ride in a real-life zeppelin. Airship Ventures is flying a limited number of one- and two-hour passenger flights from the Long Beach Airport over the Fourth of July weekend through Tuesday. Pricing starts at $375 per person when two people fly together. There's also a special Fourth of July flight, which cruises by holiday fireworks, that will set you back a mere $1,200 per person. Contact Airship Ventures for more details. (650) 969-8100. www.airshipventures.com.
CRITIC'S PICK
'The Hurt Locker'
It's no good moaning about how there's nothing to see this summer except movies based on toys. If you want adult films in theaters, you have to support the good ones the way kids support "Transformers" -- without reservation. Out right now is one of the year's best films, Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker." It's got the killer impact of the explosive devices that are the heart of its plot: It simply blows you apart and doesn't bother putting you back together again. Overwhelmingly tense, overflowing with crackling verisimilitude, it's the film to see right now.
ART
OJO to make noise with 'Flesh Car Crash'
The LA-based art collective OJO will stage an art happening that will involve piling into two small cars and rocking out using elements of the car's interior and battery to power their own musical instruments. "Flesh Car Crash" is the second of the group's "public interventions" staged as part of the museum's Engagement Party series, three-month residencies. Audience members are encouraged to participate in and document the event. MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 7 to 10 p.m. today. Free. (213) 621-1749. www.moca.org/party.
EVENTS
Anime Expo
Japanese animation fans from all over the world will gather at the Los Angeles Convention Center today through Sunday for the Anime Expo, with round-the-clock activities including cosplay, gaming, karaoke challenges and late-night dance parties. This year's special guests include manga artist Yun Kouga and Japan's top female pop group, Morning Musume. Los Angeles Convention Center. 1201 S. Figueroa St. See website for daily hours. One day, $35. Four days, $70. (301) 694-5243. www.anime-expo.org.
EVENTS
Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach
Nothing says "Happy Independence Day, America" like watching a bunch of ripped men and women in impossibly small swimsuits vie for the title of Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach. If you've got biceps that resemble volleyballs you can choose to compete, otherwise just sit on the sidelines and enjoy the spectacle. Venice Recreation Center, 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., pre-judging at 10 a.m., finals at 1 p.m. $80 to compete but free to watch. www.musclebeachvenice.com.
EVENTS
'The Beginning of the End' at Natural History Museum
Even wonder what drives the pseudo-science malarkey in creature flicks? Members of the museum's history and science departments will be on hand for a screening of 1957's "The Beginning of the End," which features massive grasshoppers. Entomology curator Brian Brown will explain any fears away. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd. 2 p.m. Sun. Free with paid admission. (213) 763-3466. www.nhm.org.
MUSIC
Amazing Baby at the Hammer Museum
One of the more awesomely named outfits of recent memory, Amazing Baby, has a sassy British enunciation even though it hails from Brooklyn, fractures its grimy-glam rock with samples and effects washes, and can harmonize the dickens out of a chorus even while peals of distortion roil around it. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. today. Free with admission. hammer.ucla.edu.
NIGHT LIFE
Swimming With Sharks pool party
Have a very hipster Fourth of July when Matt Goldman and Dance Right take over the roof for this special holiday edition of their notorious pool party bacchanal, Swimming With Sharks. DJs include Blu Jemz, Kim Anh and Unemployed Lloyd. Standard Hotel Downtown, 550 S. Flower St., L.A. 1 p.m. to sundown. RSVP required. (213) 892-8080. www.danceright.net.
BOOK INFO
'Duchess of Death'
Duchess of Death
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