Who's up Never mind the rapturous reviews or the clamor to put "Wall•E" on the shortlist for Best Picture. The New York Times' Frank Rich suggests that the film, featuring a "cartoon robot [who] evokes America's patriotic ideals with more conviction than either of the men who would be president," be mandatory viewing for John McCain and Barack Obama.

Who's down Rose McGowan is alleged to have split with fiancé Robert Rodriguez, putting a decided crimp in her hopes for a starmaking role in his remake of "Barbarella." The New York Post reports that the split was partly due to Rodriguez's inability to secure funding for the movie with McGowan in the lead (Jessica Alba is now rumored as the top contender). Come on, man, fight for your woman! Meanwhile, McGowan's highest-profile gig is co-hosting Turner Classic Movie's "Essentials" series with Robert Osborne. She's not essential to that job, either.

CYNTHIA DICKISON