NEW YORK - THE National Society of Film Critics has chosen 'Waltz With Bashir' as the best picture of 2008.

The group voted on Saturday in New York, naming Sean Penn as best actor for his performance in the biopic 'Milk' and Sally Hawkins as best actress for her turn in the comedy 'Happy-Go-Lucky'.

NEW YORK - THE recession has reached the ritzy Rainbow Room, the special-occasion spot that overlooks midtown Manhattan from high above the tourist-attracting Rockefeller Center skating rink.

WNBC-TV reports that the owners plan to shutter the Italian-themed Rainbow Grill restaurant temporarily while keeping the establishment's bar, banquet space and dinner-dancing going on the 65th floor of the RCA building.

NORMAL (Illinois) - POLICE in Illinois say actor and playwright Sam Shepard has been arrested on preliminary charges of speeding and drunken driving.

Police Lt. Mark Kotte says officers stopped Shepard early on Saturday in the central Illinois town of Normal.