Read it!

What Just Happened? Bitter Hollywood Tales from the Front Line
Art Linson
Raincoast Books, $39.95
If you're a film freak who loves the stories behind the movies, this one's for you. Written by Hollywood producer Art Linson (The Untouchables, Fight Club, Heist), the book is a funny sometimes twisted look of how movies make it from script to screen. Includes Linson's own battles with Alec Baldwin to shave his beard for his role in The Edge, persuading a studio that future Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow could carry the lead in Great Expectations, and what happens when good movies open against huge blockbusters.




Hollywood Gets Married
Sandra Schreier
Random House, $44.95
Just in time for wedding season, this book takes a comprehensive pictorial look at Hollywood nuptials - on-screen and off - from Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier to Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett to Liz Taylor and a parade of many. Includes hundreds of photographs and provides behind-the-scenes details of both movie and real-life weddings. A great look at wedding gowns through the years, and yes, what dresses bridesmaids had to endure as well.

Use it!

Nokia's 9290 Communicator is the ultimate in cool when you are on the go this summer. This all-in-one handset offers all the tools you need when away from home or cottage - Internet browsing, email, phone, fax and even video/audio capabilities. You can also use the handy calendar, plus a speaker phone function with the ability to hold a conference call for up to five people. All this coupled with a sleek design and full color screen.


Hear it!

Scooby-Doo
Atlantic/Lava
With an interesting mix of the top rappers and R&B singers around right now, this soundtrack seems to have it all. With Shaggy's bouncing, "Shaggy, Where Are You?" and artists like Outkast, Master P and Kylie Minogue all contributing tunes. Not your style? Don't worry, the CD's got tracks with a more guitar oriented flare with a new Sugar Ray song and tunes from Simple Plan, The Atomic Fireballs and even a new version of the original cartoon's theme song by punkers MxPx. And unlike a lot of soundtracks out now, most of the songs are actually about Scooby-Doo.

The Sum of All Fears
Elektra
Like the film, this soundtrack starts slowly and simmers to a boil, with a combination of eerie and beautiful orchestral pieces and some elegant tracks by the likes Tabitha Fairs' "If We Get Through This" and "If We Could Remember" by Yolanda Adams.  The songs escort you on the movie's wild ride, going from peaceful calm to fever pitch and back again. And amidst all of these great instrumentals is the classic "Nessun Dorma from Turandot," performed by Bruce Sledge.


Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Sony Music
To call this soundtrack eclectic would be an understatement. The compilation, produced by T Bone Burnett (who is best known for producing the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack), is a strange mix of new and old. The CD starts with a plodding French folk ballad by Blind Uncle Gaspard and moves from old bluegrass to swinging tracks by the likes of Macy Gray and a more contemporary track by Lauryn Hill ("Selah"). Even the rough-and-tumble "Waitin' For You" by Bob Dylan doesn't seem out of place on this album. If nothing else, the soundtrack captures the fun, excitement and emotion from the film divinely.