THE BUZZ.

Byline: - Staff Writers

Something to Crowe about: Talk about a winning streak.

He struck the hardest blows in ``Gladiator'' and now Russell Crowe has beat the competition at this year's Hollywood Film Awards Gala Ceremony.

Crowe was awarded favorite actor on Tuesday night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. He was selected based on the frequency of his video rentals and achievements over the past year.

Nominees also included Kevin Spacey and Denzel Washington. But according to the votes, compiled by polling Reel.com,ETOnline.com and Hollywoodawards.com users nationwide, Crowe was the favorite.

Also a winner that night was Angelina Jolie, who beat out Hilary Swank and Julia Roberts for best actress.

The Hollywood Film Festival is sponsored by Hollywood Video. It honors the best in independent features, shorts, documentaries and animation.

The art of politics: In celebration of the Democratic National Convention, the Hollywood Entertainment Museum has mounted an exhibition titled ``The Candidates: From Primary to Election.''

The exhibit features original poster art and photographs of political machines as portrayed by Hollywood, including such films as ``Advise & Consent,'' ``The Candidate,'' ``The Last Hurrah,'' ``Meet John Doe,'' ``State of the Union,'' ``Wilson'' and ``All the President's Men.''

``For better or worse, the Oval Office to the local ward, one of Hollywood's preoccupations has been films of a political nature, and the timing couldn't be better than to honor them now,'' said Phyllis Caskey, president of Hollywood Entertainment Museum.

The exhibit continues through Aug. 31. The museum, at 7021 Hollywood Blvd., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and students with ID, $4 for youths 5-12. For more information, call [phone].

Cars 'n' stars: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Petersen Automotive Museum are teaming up for a film series focusing on Hollywood's love affair with cars.

Tonight's 7:30 feature is ``American Graffiti,'' George Lucas' 1973 nostalgic look at cruising in the early '60s. It stars Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Cindy Williams and newcomer Harrison Ford, and co-stars a Chevy Bel Air, a Deux Chevaux Citroen, a black 1955 Chevy, an Edsel and, of course, a T-Bird. The second title on the double bill is 1971's ``Two Lane Blacktop.''

Upcoming films in the series include ``Repo Man,'' ``Bullitt,'' ``Viva Las Vegas,'' `'Days of Thunder'' and ``Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.''

Tickets are $7 for general admission, or $5 for museum and American Film Institute members, seniors and students with ID. The ticket price includes admission to the LACMA galleries. LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. For more information, call [phone].