PEOPLE BRIEFS

Central Station actress criticizes Oscar decisions

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Fernanda Montenegro, the 69-year-old star of the foreign film Central Station, accused Hollywood of favoritism in awarding the Oscar to Gwyneth Paltrow over her and said Life is Beautiful wasn't worthy of victory. In a televised interview Tuesday, Montenegro described Paltrow as "this romantic figure, thin, pure, virginal." "They don't have much of this type of actress in American cinema," she said. "It's an investment."

Heston rallies supporters of concealed-weapon law

ST. LOUIS -- A sea of concealed-weapons supporters turned out for a speech by Charlton Heston. The Ten Commandments star and president of the National Rifle Association went to St. Louis and Kansas City on Tuesday to support Proposition B on the April 6 ballot, which would allow concealed weapons. Hundreds of supporters, many wearing NRA caps and carrying "Vote Yes" placards, crammed into a hotel conference room to hear speeches by Heston and Wayne Lapierre, NRA executive vice president.

Jazz festival announces lineup for 13-day program

NEW YORK --James Brown, Ray Charles, Branford Marsalis and Sting are in the lineup for this year's JVC Jazz Festival. The 13-day program was announced Tuesday. The festival begins June 14, with performances all over the city. Free concerts will be held in Manhattan's Bryant Park on June 23-25.

Magic Johnson expands chain of movie theaters

NEW YORK -- Magic Johnson's chain of movie houses is getting a little longer. The former basketball star will transform a Brooklyn theater closed for 22 years into a 12-screen, $30 million complex that will open in 2001. Johnson announced the deal at City Hall on Tuesday. The city is providing low-interest loans and tax breaks.
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