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Forward thinking

An entirely subjective look at the week ahead

By COLETTE BANCROFT
Published June 27, 2005

WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT

It comes too late for Terrell Tolson, found guilty last week of disorderly conduct after a cell phone fracas in a St. Petersburg movie theater, but Friday is the first day of Cell Phone Courtesy Month. Well, one month out of the year would be a start. If we have to listen to one more much-too-intimate cell chat in the women's restroom, we'll lose our impeccable composure and flush somebody's flip phone. For tips on being a less annoying cell user yes, we mean you with the Crazy Frog ring tone, click on www.cellmanners.com/

President Bush plans to give a major speech on the Iraq war Tuesday, marking the one-year anniversary of the installation of the Iraqi interim government. Bush isn't expected to announce any major policy changes, but with public support for the war at an all-time low, more than 1,700 Americans killed and Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, testifying last week before the Senate Armed Services committee that the insurgency is not weakening, positive spin will be hard to come by.

It's celebrity week at the auction houses. Today, 20 sketches by Picasso of filmmaker Genevieve Laporte, one of his lovers, will be sold in Paris see www.artcurial.com/index_uk.html) Tuesday is the last day to bid at It's Only Rock 'N Roll (www.itsonlyrocknroll.com) on memorabilia that includes Beatles lunch boxes, a high school yearbook signed by Bruce Springsteen, and Jerry Garcia's mailbox. On Thursday, Christie's in New York (www.christies.com) offers Marlon Brando's effects, including his annotated script for The Godfather, conga drums and a letter from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tuesday is the release date for Blood of Angels, the third thriller by Reed Arvin, who has a home in St. Petersburg. His new novel, set in Nashville, is based on a real murder case involving a Sudanese immigrant for which Arvin's wife served as a juror. If it's as gripping as Arvin's The Last Goodbye (2004), we're in for a treat.

Tobey Maguire, who has been slinging poker hands instead of webs lately and won't swing out Spider-Man 3 until 2007, is 30 today. John Cusack, who returns to the screen July 29 in Must Love Dogs after a couple of years away, turns 39 on Tuesday. Andre Braugher, of the brilliant TV series Homicide, is filming the remake of The Poseidon Adventure and celebrating his 43rd birthday Friday. And one guy we wish would go away, Tom Cruise, turns 43 on Sunday.

- COLETTE BANCROFT, Times staff writer, 727 893-8435 or bancroft@sptimes.com

[Last modified June 24, 2005, 09:40:04]