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Tuesday, February 18, 2003

Lawyer and a movie? It might make for a good combination in the Washington County Bar Association's annual Classic Law Film Series, continuing through April 9 at Washington & Jefferson College.

Now in its third year, the series features films about legal systems and the legal profession, accompanied by a lawyer, judge or law professor who serves as host and discusses his or her experience with the subject matter.

The series, held in the W&J Commons Media Room in Washington, is free and open to the public.

The next film in the series, screening Feb. 26, is the 1951 Japanese classic "Rashomon," directed by Akira Kurosawa. It tells the story of a crime as seen by three different witnesses, each of whom offers a completely different account of what happened. Lawyer and film buff Joe Zupancic will introduce the film.

Also in the series: "The Ox-Bow Incident" (March 5), a 1943 drama about mob rule and a lynching in the Old West, starring Henry Fonda and introduced by Steve Wolf; "Inherit the Wind" (March 26), the 1960 film based on the Scopes "monkey trial," with Frederic March and Spencer Tracy and introduced by school solicitor Reed Day; and "A Place in the Sun" (April 9), the 1951 drama based on Theodore Dreiser's "An American Tragedy," about a man who falls for a socialite and ends up charged with the murder of his pregnant working-class lover. Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor star. The film is introduced by Duquesne University law professor Bruce Ledewitz.

For information: 724-225-6710.

Meditation symposium

Pittsburgh Filmmakers and the Carnegie Science Center will feature a symposium and film, "Sight of Stillness," March 1 and 2.

Created by digital artist Carolyn Speranza, the project combines art, neuroscience, health and spirituality around the theme of meditation.

Carnegie Science Center will host a symposium on the subject March 1. The film, also called "Sight of Stillness," will premiere March 2 at the Melwood Screening Room, 477 Melwood Ave., Oakland.

Funded by the Creative Heights Initiative of the Heinz Endowments, events are free and open to the public. For information: 412-681-5449.

By Ron Weiskind, Post-Gazette Movie Editor

Chandler makes movie

Pittsburgh's Chandler, a country-pop trio in the making under the guidance of songwriter Bob Corbin, will appear in the feature film "Down With Love," starring Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger.

Under the direction of Peyton Reed ("Bring It On"), triplets Melissa Matrazzo, Stephanie Lauffer and Kristin Semenko will appear in a scene in which they give McGregor a quick kiss. Chandler has recorded one independent CD and appeared at a handful of Pittsburgh-area festivals, "The Maury Povich Show," "The Ricki Lake Show" and several TV commercials.

By John Hayes, Post-Gazette staff writer