The latest installment in the "Fast and the Furious" series opens Friday, and although it is set mostly in Brazil you can spot Atlanta if you're on your toes. A couple of outdoor party scenes were filmed downtown around the Georgia Dome, an auto shop scene was filmed in the Reynoldstown area and a snippet of the stylized "Atlanta" sign near Philips Arena is visible for a split second. The movie stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson -- and hometown guy Chris "Ludacris" Bridges. Luda made a surprise appearance at a Tuesday night advance screening of "Fast Five," and his Conjure cognac line enjoys some nice product placement in one scene. "I'm really proud of this movie," said the rapper-actor, whose Straits restaurant hosted the film's wrap party last year. We won't spoil it for you but suffice it to say there's lots of fighting, shooting, speeding and crashing.
Overscene
Orlando Magic player and Atlanta native Dwight Howard, in town for games against the Atlanta Hawks, hit Straits Friday night (Saturday morning, actually) for a late-night nibble. He arrived around 1:30 a.m. and went to town on some shrimp Pad Thai...Rapper Jay-Z, reportedly in talks to open a luxe new sports lounge at the airport, stopped by Monday night's Atlanta Press Club mixer at The Real Chow Baby on Ponce de Leon.
Buzz in our ear
Look for U.S. Rep. John Lewis on the Wednesday episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which will feature a discussion of the Freedom Riders. Lewis said during the Atlanta Press Club's Tuesday luncheon that he was off to Chicago this week to tape the show. Winfrey's show airs at 4 p.m. weekdays on Channel 2 WSB-TV, for the moment. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" ends its 25-year run on May 25.
Say what?
"I'd rather be kicked by a mule than watch the royal wedding."
- Powder Springs author Lauretta Hannon, once dubbed the "funniest woman in Georgia" by Southern Living magazine. Hannon can claim a royal title of sorts, though. Her memoir "The Cracker Queen" is the Georgia Center for the Book's list of books all Georgians should read.
Celebrity birthdays
Author Harper Lee is 85. Actress-singer Ann-Margret is 70. Actress Marcia Strassman is 63. Actor Paul Guilfoyle ("CSI") is 62. Late night host Jay Leno is 61. Former Rolling Stones keyboardist turned Georgia environmentalist Chuck Leavell is 59. Actress Mary McDonnell is 58. Musician Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) is 58. Rapper Too Short is 45. Actress Simbi Khali is 40. Actress Bridget Moynahan is 40. Actor Chris Young is 40. Rapper Big Gipp is 38. Actor Jorge Garcia is 38. Actress Elisabeth Rohm is 38. Actress Penelope Cruz is 37. Actor Nate Richert is 33. Actress Jessica Alba is 30. Actress Aleisha Allen is 20.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, news services
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