Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

MOVIES

‘Small Soldiers’ Promotion Calls In Reserves: After learning that the new DreamWorks movie “Small Soldiers” received a PG-13 rating because of its depictions of violence, Burger King is offering parents alternate toys from other films deemed more appropriate for young children. Through the next six weeks, Burger King is giving away “Small Soldiers” toys with every Kids Meal. There are 12 toys representing characters from the film. As a precaution, Burger King has placed signs in each outlet reading: “While Kids Meal toys are suitable for children of all ages, ‘Small Soldiers’ may contain material that is inappropriate for younger children. Parents should consult [the movie’s] rating.” As an alternative, the fast-food outlets will hand out toys from films including “The Land Before Time.” Said a Burger King spokeswoman: “We made this decision months ago when there was the possibility [‘Small Soldiers’] would receive a PG-13 rating. We wanted to be proactive and do the responsible thing.” She added that Burger King will not advertise the toy promotion on TV during such traditional children’s viewing hours as Saturday mornings.

TELEVISION

The Return of Det. Logan: NBC will bring back Chris Noth’s former “Law & Order” character, Det. Mike Logan, in a two-hour movie this fall. Called “Exiled,” the movie will feature Noth--who was written out of the NBC series three years ago when his character was reassigned after punching a city councilman--attempting to return to Manhattan by solving the grisly murder of a young prostitute. The movie also will feature current “Law & Order” stars Sam Waterston, Jerry Orbach, Benjamin Bratt (who replaced Noth), S. Epatha Merkerson and another former cast member, Dann Florek, who played police Capt. Donald Cragen.

THE ARTS

Praemium Imperiale Honorees: Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, Portuguese architect Alvero Siza and Israeli sculptor Dani Karavan will join American painter Robert Rauschenberg and British filmmaker Sir Richard Attenborough as recipients of the 10th annual Praemium Imperiale Awards for outstanding lifetime achievement in the arts. Given by the Japan Art Assn., the $110,000 prizes honor those in artistic fields not covered by the Nobel Prizes.

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Claim Denied: Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts has rejected the Guatemalan government’s demand that it return objects that experts say were looted from Maya grave sites two decades ago. The Boston Globe reported Thursday that the museum’s rebuff was delivered two weeks ago, nearly seven months after it unveiled a major exhibition of antiquities from the Americas, only to have its gala opening clouded by charges that many of the artifacts were looted. Guatemala’s vice minister for culture, Carlos Enrique Zea Flores, told the Globe that he deplored the museum’s decision. “We cannot call them a museum because that is a term of honor,” Zea Flores said. “Their collectors buy looted pieces, and then they accept them. A real museum with ethics would not accept looted goods.” A museum spokeswoman on Thursday confirmed that it had denied the Guatemalan government’s request to return the objects, “after concluding that the government had no basis for any claim of ownership to the objects.”

POP/ROCK

Ol’ Dirty Shoplifter?: Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard--who walked out of a New York hospital against doctors’ advice last week after suffering superficial gunshot wounds during an apparent robbery--has been accused of shoplifting in Virginia. A court date has been set for July 28. Police said a closed-circuit TV caught the rapper putting on a $50 pair of athletic shoes before walking out of a Virginia Beach sports apparel store. His record label, Elektra, has had no comment on the charge. Ol’ Dirty Bastard drew attention earlier this year when he interrupted the Grammy awards ceremony to protest his group’s loss in one category.

QUICK TAKES

One of two planned Spice Girls weddings has been called off. Six weeks after announcing her planned nuptials, Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown has ended her engagement to Jimmy Gulzar, a dancer in the British quartet’s shows. No reason for the breakup was given. However, Victoria “Posh Spice” Adams is still planning to marry English soccer star David Beckham.