Peach Buzz

Spike Lee slated for July Fox film fest

Considering the heat wave and economy, the 2009 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival at the Fox Theatre could prove as popular as ever this year. In addition to its usual mix of current box office hits and vintage favorites, the Fox series has assembled a unique event for film lovers.

The festival will celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Do the Right Thing” on July 11 with a special preshow VIP event sponsored by the Atlanta Film Festival, a red-carpet entrance and a post-show discussion with the film’s director and star, Morehouse grad Spike Lee.

Some other actors from the film are also expected to attend. The film stars Danny Aiello, the late Ossie Davis, the legendary Ruby Dee and Atlanta’s own Bill Nunn.

Things will kick off with a 40th anniversary screening of “Woodstock” at 7:30 p.m. July 9; followed by Oscar winner “Slumdog Millionaire” at 7:30 p.m. July 10; Pixar’s latest hit “Up” at 1 p.m. July 11; the Audrey Hepburn classic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” at 7:30 p.m. July 23 ; the rebooted “Star Trek” at 7:30 p.m. July 24; “Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” at 2 p.m. July 25; and director Stanley Kubrick’s classic “2001: A Space Odyssey” at 7:30 p.m. July 25

Five films slated for August will be announced later this summer. Tickets are $8 and are on sale at the Fox Theatre box office and at Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com.

Jane Fonda tweets about knee surgery

Poncey-Highland resident and G-CAPP founder Jane Fonda is recovering in a Los Angeles hospital following knee replacement surgery on her left leg.

In a blog update titled “So long old knee,” the two-time Oscar winner and Tony nominee reflected on the wizened, worn-out joint: “I’ve been studying my knee. It’s never been my favorite part of me, partial as I am to the bony variety —- elongated, skin close to the bone. Like my dad’s. … Still, I am growing fond of this left knee now that I have to say goodbye.”

Doctors took X-rays and confirmed the need for a replacement Monday. Apparently, the knee had been bothering Fonda for some time, especially as she trod the boards this spring on Broadway in “33 Variations.”

The surgeons were taking no chances on botching the operation. To avoid confusion, Fonda’s doctor printed his initials on the knee to be replaced.

“Imagine if it got out that I replaced Jane Fonda’s wrong knee,” he worried to her. “Forget the career.”

Fonda’s response: “You betcha!”

Just to be sure, the actress took a photo of her autographed knee and posted it online.

Her final playful Tweet before surgery? “Lying on gurney. Drugs just starting to hit. Wheeee. So long left knee. You’re toast!”

Behind the scenes at ‘Jimmy Fallon’

Rolling Stones keyboardist and Georgia tree farmer Chuck Leavell gave our BuzzBerry a ring after taping his guest stint on NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” in New York City this week.

The green-minded Leavell is also the co-creator of The Mother Nature Network, the new Atlanta-based eco-focused Web site. As Buzz readers may recall, the site’s followers bombarded Fallon, a Twitter fiend, with requests for the late-night comic to give a shout-out to the burgeoning green resource consumer center.

The ploy worked. Fallon indeed mentioned Mother Nature Network as he introduced the acclaimed musician and ecologist on the show. Leavell was the guest keyboardist sitting in with “Late Night” house band, The Roots.

“Man, it was a gas!” Leavell told us. “The cats in the band were wonderful. The vibe was good.”

Afterward, Leavell poked his head inside Fallon’s dressing room to thank the host.

“He told me, ‘I sure got a lot of tweets from your [Mother Nature Network] fans.’ I said, ‘Believe me dude, MNN loves you now!’ “

Overscene

Actress and comic Margaret Cho, among the screaming, dancing fans at electro clash dance diva Peaches show at The Masquerade in Central Atlanta. The ever-naughty, electronic music cult fave is out promoting her latest release, “I Feel Cream.” Cho, meanwhile, is in town shooting the first season of the upcoming Lifetime one-hour comedy, “Drop Dead Diva” which premieres on the basic cable network next month.

Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland and his glowing expectant wife Michaeline dining at Aria in Buckhead. Among the specialties ordered from executive chef/owner Gerry Klaskala’s menu: the oak-grilled veal chop and porcini mushroom risotto, grilled asparagus and roasted cipollin. The baby is due later this summer.

Celebrity

birthdays

Actress Gena Rowlands is 79. Singer Spanky McFarlane of Spanky and Our Gang is 67. Actress Phylicia Rashad is 61. Singer Ann Wilson of Heart is 59. Actress Kathleen Turner is 55. Country singer Doug Stone is 53. Singer Mark DeBarge of DeBarge is 50. Singer-dancer-choreographer Paula Abdul is 47. Actor Andy Lauer (“Caroline in the City”) is 46. Singer-guitarist Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe is 45. Former Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch is 39. Actress Robin Tunney is 37. Actress Poppy Montgomery (“Without a Trace”) is 34. Actor Paul Dano (“Little Miss Sunshine”) is 25.

Richard Eldredge, reldredge@ajc.com

Contributing:Wire services.

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