Barbra’s book

Barbra Streisand is reportedly writing an autobiography that will be very candid and “set the record straight.” Since the famous singer often posts her personal opinions on her official Web site (www.barbrastreisand.com), I don’t think that her book will pack the punch of Bob Dylan’s recent autobiography.

Dylan hardly ever disclosed what he was thinking, so his candid book “Chronicles: Volume One” (and the recent Martin Scorsese film on Dylan) came as big surprises. Still, Streisand has been a megastar for so long that she has to have some previously untold great stories to tell. I’m hoping for a few “pure butta” showbiz tales.

Weisz hot, Moss not

The beautiful actress Rachel Weisz, hot after co-starring in “The Constant Gardener” (a rare critical and box-office hit), has reportedly been offered the position of chief model for the Burberry clothing company. Weisz would take over the job from Kate Moss. The supermodel was fired by Burberry following the publication of photos showing Moss using cocaine.

Conflicted shrink

“Prime,” a movie starring Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep, and Bryan Greenberg, opens Friday, Oct. 28.

Streep plays a Jewish psychiatrist who is treating Thurman, a non-practicing Catholic from a wealthy family who is trying to overcome her fears of intimacy. Streep is encouraging when Thurman, who is in her late 30s, meets a guy (Greenberg) in his early 20s who is still living with his grandparents. However, Streep’s delight disappears when she finds out that the guy in question is her own son.

The film is directed and written by Ben Younger (“Boiler Room”), a former yeshiva student whose own mother is a psychiatrist.

This is Greenberg’s first major role. His real life acting career was featured earlier this year in the HBO series “Unscripted.”

Jewish actresses Alicia Silverstone and Sophie Okonedo co-star. Okonedo, an Oscar nominee for “Hotel Rwanda,” is English Jewish on her mother’s side and Nigerian on her father’s side (she identifies as Jewish).

The very pale and very blonde Silverstone and the “black-looking” Okonedo make an interesting statement about the diversity of the Jewish people. A statement that I wish some movie critics would take note of before declaring that such-and-such actor doesn’t “look Jewish enough” (or looks “too Jewish”) for a part.

Speaking out and ‘Talking Back’

Andrea Mitchell, 58, the famous NBC news correspondent, has written a book of memoirs called “Talking Back.” Married since 1997 to Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Mitchell answered questions related to being Jewish in a recent interview with Jewish Women’s Magazine.

Mitchell said she felt a “tremendous emotional connection to Middle East news,” and when asked if she was “a good role model for Jewish women,” Mitchell replied: “I’m not sure I’m a good role model for Jewish women. I wouldn’t presume to be. I think everyone does her own thing. And as someone who hasn’t had children, I haven’t had the experience of creating a home for children and leading them through education. I have nieces and nephews and a goddaughter, but I don’t think I’m the best example of someone who’s done all the important things that women who have children do. That’s been one of my great sadnesses.”

The perfect storm

Now in production, with a summer 2006 release date, is the movie “Stormbreaker,” from the first Alex Rider novel by English Jewish author Antony Horowitz. “Stormbreaker” and the other Rider novels cover the adventures of a 14-year-old boy who happens to be a James Bond-type secret agent. The novels have sold over 8 million copies to date.

Columnist Nate Bloom , an Oaklander, can be reached at [email protected].