By GAIL COLLINS DID YOU realize the Chinese Communist Party was that much into cute? The world knows now that the adorable little girl we saw warbling "Ode to the Motherland" at the Olympics opening ceremony was not really singing. She was a Potemkin performer.

By Melissa Mcbride, The Brunswick News, Ga. Jul. 9--If you're tired of all the typical summer blockbusters, action packed superhero flicks and the CGI animation that modern filmmaking produces, the Ritz Theatre offers a more classic alternative.

Three of the top films of leggy dancing star Cyd Charisse, who died in Los Angeles last week at the age of 87, will be shown tonight on Turner Classic Movies.

By Manohla Dargis New York Times News Service Some stars shine, others flicker, lingering in your consciousness and dreams in flashes, favorite scenes and frozen moments.

By Robert Berkvist New York Times News Service Cyd Charisse, the leggy beauty whose balletic grace made her a memorable partner for Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in classic MGM musicals like "Singin' in the Rain,""The Band Wagon" and "Brigadoon," died on Tuesday in Los Angeles.